In response to the national epidemic of prescription opioid abuse and heroin use, a bill addressing prevention, education, law enforcement, and treatment efforts is under review in the United States Legislature. Among its many provisions, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 (S 524), sponsored
by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), would authorize funding to support state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and would require that PDMPs share data with other states. In addition, the bill would require states to expand or make available
disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications. Further, the bill also includes provisions for training law enforcement officers in the use of naloxone and for the purchase of naloxone. The bill was sent to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
on February 11, 2016.
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