Governor Hassan's Statement on House Passage of Additional Resources for Substance Misuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

Statement

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement on the New Hampshire House of Representatives' bipartisan vote to pass Senate Bill 533, which includes the Governor's proposal for additional resources to support prevention, treatment and recovery programs:

"With the heroin and opioid crisis devastating families, communities and businesses across the state, we all know that there is more that we must do to strengthen our efforts to combat this horrible epidemic and help save lives. As our economy continues to strengthen and revenues this fiscal year outpace projections by at least $80 million, it is clear that we have the resources to provide additional support to prevention, treatment and recovery programs.

"I am encouraged that the New Hampshire House has joined the New Hampshire Senate with this bipartisan vote to provide additional resources for prevention, treatment and recovery programs and supportive housing, and I urge the House Finance Committee to quickly recommend passage so that this important measure can make it through the legislative process and reach my desk as soon as possible. While today's vote is another important step forward, there are additional measures before the legislature that we must pass without delay in order to give patients, providers, families, educators and law enforcement better tools to combat this crisis."

Governor Hassan called the legislature into a special session last November and proposed comprehensive legislation, including providing additional resources to help communities combat the opioid crisis.

Senate Bill 533 would provide $5 million in funding for prevention, treatment and recovery providers and supportive housing to assist thousands of additional Granite Staters. It also provides roughly $125,000 for an additional attorney at the Department of Justice focused on opioid-related crimes and issues, which would help the department pursue homicide charges for drug dealers. Senate Bill 533 now goes to the House Finance Committee before returning to the House floor for a second vote.

Senate Bill 464 would provide roughly $3 million to establish a statewide drug court program. It passed the Senate in a bipartisan voice vote. It has also passed the House once in a bipartisan voice vote, and it is currently in the House Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 485 would provide nearly $1.9 million to expand a state grant program to partner with local law enforcement in hard-hit communities, such as the state's partnership with Operation Granite Hammer in Manchester. It also passed the Senate in a bipartisan voice vote. Senate Bill 485 is currently in the House Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 522 would provide $130,000 for upgrades to the state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to ensure that more prescribers can use it in a timely fashion. The Senate passed it in a bipartisan voice vote, and it is currently in the House Finance Committee.

Source