Tag: opioid crisis

House DFL set to take action to end Minnesota’s opioid crisis

Legislation funds comprehensive strategies; holds Big Pharma accountable

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House is prepared to vote Monday afternoon on HF 400, a bill authored by Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), the House Majority Whip, aimed at ending the state’s opioid crisis. The legislation has robust strategies for prevention, education, intervention, training, treatment and recovery.

“Minnesotans truly can’t wait any longer for leaders in this state to take meaningful action to address the terrible tragedies caused by this crisis,” Rep. Olson said. “The bill we’re set to pass today off the House floor looks at the issues around opioids in a holistic way, delivering resources to our communities to save lives. It also ensures long-overdue accountability for the drug makers who have profited off this crisis, and so-far have refused to be part of any solution.” Continue reading “House DFL set to take action to end Minnesota’s opioid crisis”

Rep. Olson introduces bill ensuring state action to end opioid crisis

St. Paul, Minnesota — State Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) today announced plans to introduce a bill addressing Minnesota’s ongoing opioid crisis, which has resulted in tragic losses for families across the state. The legislation will establish an Opioid Stewardship Advisory Council to deliver grants focusing on education, intervention, treatment, training, and prevention strategies.

“Minnesotans are pleading with us to take action to protect people, and to do this we need a truly comprehensive strategy to save lives,” Rep. Olson said. “As families continue to experience unthinkable tragedies, Minnesotans can’t wait any longer for comprehensive strategies to end this crisis. I’m confident that we can work together in a bipartisan fashion to take action.”

Funding will for the advisory council’s grants will come from registration fees. In addition to the grants, the legislation expands coverage of pain management services and requires that companies perform comprehensive assessments of clients to better determine treatment options. Continue reading “Rep. Olson introduces bill ensuring state action to end opioid crisis”

Trump’s opioid strategy ‘missing in action’ as 115 people die every day

The following article by Joe Davidson was posted on the Washington Post website May 21, 2018:

In an effort to combat the opioid crisis, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces a new task force targeting opioid distributors and manufacturers. (The Washington Post)

Opening statements at congressional hearings often are predictable. But not those at a House hearing on the opioid crisis and the Trump administration’s inadequate reaction to it.

It’s too bad no one from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) testified at Thursday’s Oversight and Government Reform Committee session, which was called to discuss the office’s reauthorization. Had its officials, or Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway, who leads his opioid initiative, been there, they would have heard moving, heartfelt stories from the panel’s bipartisan leadership that went beyond the usual perfunctory remarks. Continue reading “Trump’s opioid strategy ‘missing in action’ as 115 people die every day”

Jeff Sessions makes 2 ridiculous claims about the opioid crisis in less than a minute

The following article by Aaron Rupar was posted on the ThinkProgress website February 7, 2018:

“Sometimes, you just need to take two Bufferins or something and go to bed.”

Credit: Screengrab

Speaking at a Heritage Foundation event to commemorate Ronald Reagan’s birthday on Tuesday night, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said his plan for solving the opioid crisis is more Bufferins and less marijuana.

Alluding to the 7 percent drop in opioid prescriptions last year, Sessions said “my goal in 2018 is to see a further decline,” adding that “we think doctors are just prescribing too many.”

“Sometimes, you just need to take two Bufferins or something and go to bed,” Sessions added. Bufferin is an over-the-counter aspirin brand. Continue reading “Jeff Sessions makes 2 ridiculous claims about the opioid crisis in less than a minute”