The Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act - or "CARA" - has had a long journey through Congress that will end soon.

After the House passed a conference committee report by a 407 to 5 vote, the Senate is expected to take a vote Wednesday.

Ohio U.S. Senator Rob Portman sponsored the original Senate bill...and says the new law is needed more than ever.

"Sadly over the past several weeks, we have seen examples in Cleveland, and in Akron and in Dayton and other communities," Sen. Portman told reporters in a conference call Tuesday, "of record levels of overdoses and overdose deaths."

He says there are about 200,000 Ohioans who are addicted, and about 2,000 Ohioans who die every year from overdoses.

Sen. Portman says the bill is better for additions made by the House.

He says he hopes President Obama will quickly sign it when it gets to his desk.