Governor Hassan Calls for Path Forward on Funds to Support Law Enforcement in Opioid Crisis

Statement

Following yesterday's vote by the New Hampshire House of Representatives against Senate Bill 485, legislation that would have expanded Operation Granite Hammer statewide to support state and local law enforcement in combating the heroin and opioid crisis, Governor Maggie Hassan today called on legislative leaders from both parties to work with her to move this important initiative forward.

"The heroin and opioid crisis is the most urgent public health and public safety challenge facing our state, requiring a comprehensive approach to support law enforcement and strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery. In November, I proposed to the legislature a comprehensive strategy to combat this crisis, and I applaud the legislature for approving important components of it -- including additional resources for prevention, treatment and recovery, limiting prior authorization requirements for treatment, establishing a statewide drug court system, requiring updated prescribing rules and improving our prescription drug monitoring program. However, a critical component -- expanding Operation Granite Hammer -- did not receive legislative approval, and that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible.

"Through a successful grant program that we began last October, State Police have assisted local law enforcement in the City of Manchester in seizing illicit drugs and arresting dealers. Senate Bill 485 would have established this successful grant program statewide, and it had broad bipartisan support. I am grateful for our work across party lines this session to combat the heroin and opioid crisis, but the failure to enact an expanded Operation Granite Hammer program is unacceptable. We need to come together, quickly, and provide this support to state and local law enforcement who are battling this crisis on the front lines.

"I remain committed to working with legislative leadership to expand Operation Granite Hammer, and whether it's on an accelerated veto day or in a special session, we should bring this critical measure forward again as quickly as possible. Legislators from both parties have worked tirelessly to strengthen our comprehensive approach to this crisis, and they have also committed to sending all bills to my desk by June 23. With that commitment and in the same spirit of collaboration, I am confident that we can find a way forward to quickly provide this critical support to state and local law enforcement as they continue working to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic."

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