Senator Rob Portman wraps up a two-day visit to Northwest Ohio by talking to the Auglaize County Republicans Tuesday night.
During his time here in our area, Portman talked to a lot of Ohioans about legislation coming out of Washington. Portman says many people and businesses are happy with the Tax Reform Bill that was passed at the end of 2017 as people are seeing more money in paychecks and more money to invest in their business. But another thing that he is hearing is about growing opioid epidemic and the widespread effects in every community.
“I was in Toledo today and I heard about the crisis they have of finding foster families, for the kids that are left behind, when their parents, who are addicts, can no longer take care of them. I heard from law enforcement about the fact that it’s increasing crime as people commit crimes, usually theft or shoplifting or fraud to be able to pay for their habit. I am hearing a lot about how we need to step up our effort here. More prevention and education particularly with our young people, better treatment options, helping people be able to get back with their families back to work,” said Rob Portman.
Portman is working on more legislation to get more funding to help fight opioid addiction through the CARA 2.0 Act, also strengthening law enforcement powers to track fentanyl shipments from places like China before it can be distributed in the United States with the STOP Act.
