Issue Position: Committed to finding ways to expand & improve the HOPE Agenda.

Issue Position

During my first legislative session, my colleagues and I passed a package of bills aimed at expanding the Heroin, Opiate Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Agenda with the goal of combating prescription drug abuse and addiction. We took steps to help prescribers, dispensers and law enforcement to gather information and analyze data to reduce problems like overprescribing and the illegal sale of drugs.
* We have approved multiple bills aimed at expanding the HOPE Agenda with the goal of stopping addiction before it begins.
* We have worked with law enforcement, the medical community, and advocates statewide on efforts to stop overprescribing of addictive prescription drugs.
* The expansion will also focus on streamlining state regulations so that more people will have access to treatment and diversion programs. Unlike incarceration, these programs help people addicted to opiods become and remain successful members of society.
* It is important to understand that there are legitimate reasons for prescription opiods and we have no intention to prevent people in medical need of these medications from receiving them.
* I am proud the work we have done and believe we are moving in the right direction.
* I remain committed to finding ways to expand and improve the HOPE Agenda to combat this epidemic.

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