Ayotte Meets with Community Leaders to Talk Addiction Recovery

MANCHESTER, NH - Following the Senate’s passage last week of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, visited HOPE for New Hampshire Recovery in Manchester yesterday, where she hosted a roundtable discussion about how the bill will support local efforts to address the heroin and prescription opioid abuse epidemic. She also received an update from members of the community working on the front lines of this crisis.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to visit Hope for NH Recovery today and to update those on the front lines of this crisis about CARA’s passage in the Senate,” said Senator Ayotte. “Their input continues to be invaluable to my efforts to help address this critical issue, and I will continue to work to ensure that they have the resources they need and to urge my colleagues in the House to pass this important legislation.”

In addition to the event participants listed above, the following individuals took part in today’s discussion: Ted Gatsas, Mayor of Manchester; Dana Lemire, HOPE for NH Recovery Volunteer and person in recovery; Jessica Wheeler, person in recovery for 10 months; Doug and Pam Griffin, parents of Courtney Griffin, who lost her life to a heroin and fentanyl overdose; Aaron Goodro, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Plaistow; and Dr. William Goodman, Chief Medical Officer, Catholic Medical Center.

Ayotte helped introduce CARA and has been working to pass the legislation for nearly two years. The bill will increase support for prevention, treatment, first responders and individuals in recovery and has been backed by more than 130 stakeholders, including the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, Faces and Voices of Recovery, and many others. Following the Senate’s action last week, Ayotte called on the House of Representatives to take up and pass the bill immediately.

Caption: U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte; Melissa Crews, HOPE for New Hampshire Recovery; Tim Soucy, Public Health Director, Manchester Health Department; Nick Willard, Chief, Manchester Police Department; James Burkush, Chief, Manchester Fire Department and Christopher Stawasz, Regional Director, New Hampshire & Maine, American Medical Response of MA, Inc. Courtesy photo.

Submitted by Senator Kelly Ayotte's Office