WASHINGTON, D.C. -

A bipartisan bill to combat prescription abuse has passed the Senate.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).

The goal is to encourage states and local communities to pursue a full array of proven strategies in the fight against addiction. The bill also includes Klobuchar's provision to combat drug abuse by enhancing prescription drug monitoring programs.

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act would:

-Expand prevention and educational efforts—particularly aimed at teens, parents and other caretakers, and aging populations—to prevent the abuse of opioids and heroin and to promote treatment and recovery.

-Expand the availability of naloxone to law enforcement agencies and other first responders to help in the reversal of overdoses to save lives.

-Expand resources to identify and treat incarcerated individuals suffering from addiction disorders promptly by collaborating with criminal justice stakeholders and by providing evidence-based treatment.

-Expand disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications to keep them out of the hands of our children and adolescents.

-Launch an evidence-based opioid and heroin treatment and interventions program.

-Strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs to help states monitor and track prescription drug diversion and to help at-risk individuals access services.

The bill will now move to the House for a vote.