Lamont Calls for Creation of Cabinet-Level Opioid Czar

Statement

Ned Lamont, Democratic gubernatorial nominee, today announced that as Governor, he would create a cabinet-level position to coordinate the cross-agency state strategy to the opioid crisis in Connecticut and oversee the state's response when overdoses spike. Following the K2 overdoses of nearly 100 people in New Haven, Lamont made the announcement for the new position, which would report directly to the Governor, at a roundtable at Fair Haven Community Health Center with U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

Currently, the state's response to opioid overdoses run across several agencies, including the Department of Consumer Protection, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Public Health. The czar would work across agencies on comprehensively coordinating treatment solutions, improving a state-led bulk purchasing program for Naloxone, and pinpointing and working to scale successful local treatment programs from across the state. The Opioid Czar would also be responsible for overseeing the state response for dramatic non-opioid overdose spikes like those in New Haven this week.

"We recognize that addiction is an illness and not a moral failing. The opioid crisis is touching every corner of our state, affecting families everywhere. Overdose spikes, for opioids or K2, necessitate a swift and comprehensive state response. We need to expand access to Nalaxone, support emergency first responders and combat this true public health emergency. That's why I'm calling for a new, cabinet-level position to oversee this crisis," Lamont said. "As we face this crisis, my opponent's plan to cut nearly $10 billion from state government does one thing: it fundamentally guts the state's ability to respond. His plan to eliminate the income tax would mean our state simply couldn't implement smart treatment programs, and it would completely eliminate services for those struggling with addiction. The consequences for people across Connecticut would be devastating."

"We need to do more to take on the tidal wave of addiction that is decimating our communities. This crisis has only gotten worse. There is no single solution to addressing this public health crisis, but Ned Lamont will lead the charge in Connecticut to ensure communities and our emergency first responders have access to the resources and training needed to combat this epidemic," Murphy said. "Ned Lamont has good ideas to tackle this problem at the state level, and I am committed to working closely with him as partners to address this crisis."

More people in Connecticut die from drug overdoses than car accidents, homicides and suicides combined. Last year, the state saw 1,038 drug overdose deaths, and drug overdose deaths have increased over the last five years.

Sen. Murphy has worked in the Senate to introduce legislation that will ease the crisis in Connecticut. In March, he introduced the "Recovery Coaches Offer Addiction Counseling & Healing Act," a piece of bipartisan legislation introduced to combat opioid addiction that was modeled after successful treatment efforts in Connecticut. The Recovery COACH Act would provide states with grants to ensure those struggling with substance use disorder have access to specially trained coaches in the emergency department who can serve as a mentor, provide insight and encouragement, support for families and help patients navigate treatment options.

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