RACING FOR RECOVERY

Sen. Portman visits recovering addicts at Holland nonprofit

2/22/2017
BLADE STAFF
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    Todd Crandell, left, founder and president of Racing for Recovery, and Sen. Rob Portman listen to recovering addict Christopher Smith of Toledo.

    The Blade/Andy Morrison
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    • U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) met with a few dozen recovering addicts today at a Racing for Recovery event in Holland.

    The federally approved nonprofit organization is run by Todd Crandell, a licensed counselor who has been sober since 1993. Mr. Portman authored the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act, which was recently signed into law, and introduced the Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention Act.

    “I heard some powerful testimony from some individuals who feel like this program saved their lives,” Mr. Portman said. “We have a huge problem in our state and in our country right now. Education and prevention are key, but we’ve also got to focus on better treatment and recovery.”

    Mr. Portman has toured Ohio to meet with patients in recovery. He is hosting a round-table event today at Terra State Community College in Fremont with Mayor Dan Sanchez. 

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