Summary
On March 10, 2016, the Senate passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA, S. 524). CARA creates a number of grant programs—administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ)—to address prescription drug and heroin abuse, with a focus on expanding drug treatment and recovery programs. For most programs, the bill authorizes funding to be appropriated through the annual budget process for fiscal year (FY) 2016 through FY 2020. However, a few programs may be funded through existing appropriations or unobligated balances. This Issue Brief provides an inventory of the programs included in the bill and highlights other provisions.