WASHINGTON, July 13 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to addresses the nationwide opioid epidemic:

“We must make it easier for people to get the substance abuse treatment they need when they need it. It is wrong that people in crisis in my home state of Vermont and all across the country are put on a waiting list to be seen four, five, six or even 12 months from now.

“I strongly support parts of the bill passed today, but any action will have little effect if Congress does not invest to expand access to treatment clinics and programs. We must focus on prevention, and we must focus on treatment. The opioid epidemic is ravaging communities across America, destroying lives and families. It is critical that Congress act swiftly and boldly to provide much-needed funding to address this public health emergency.”