Governor Hassan's Statement on Fiscal Committee Vote to Approve Grant for Senior Director of Substance Misuse and Behavioral Health

Statement

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement after the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee voted today to approve a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to fund the Senior Director of Substance Misuse and Behavioral Health position through December:

"I thank the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee for heeding the call of law enforcement officials, the health care community and other stakeholders and approving the continuation of the grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for the Senior Director for Substance Misuse and Behavioral Health.

"Since beginning his work in this role, Jack Wozmak has met with dozens of stakeholders across the state, including representatives from the law enforcement community, as part of his work to develop his initial list of recommendations aimed at strengthening and coordinating the state's efforts to combat the heroin and substance misuse crisis.

"The heroin and substance abuse crisis is the most pressing public health and safety challenge facing our state, and we all need to continue working together to strengthen prevention and education efforts and to expand access to treatment and recovery services.

"Those fighting the substance abuse crisis have made it clear that the single most important step we can take is to continue our bipartisan health care expansion program and utilize those funds to help individuals access treatment and to encourage providers to expand substance abuse programs in our state. At the same time, it is critical that we continue efforts to implement the initial recommendations laid out by Jack Wozmak, which have the support of experts in the fields of health care, substance abuse and public safety.

"As law enforcement officials have made clear, we cannot arrest our way out of this problem. Combating the substance abuse crisis requires collaboration from stakeholders at all levels, legislators from both parties, state officials, municipalities, health care providers, and law enforcement and public safety officials, and that is what we will continue to focus on moving forward."

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