Issue Position: Opioids

Issue Position

According to the National Safety Council, our state had 3,495 opioid overdose deaths in 2016. Multiply that number by whatever factor you wish to find those directly impacted by addiction -- such as children, coworkers, families and more. We have a moral obligation to address the situation we're facing.

If you personally cannot find it within yourself to sympathize with those you feel "do it to themselves" then you can look at it from an economic perspective. It will pay us back tenfold to effectively treat addiction and get people back to lives of purpose.

This January, I had the good fortune of attending a NobleCares meeting -- the opioid task force in Noble County. They are addressing the problem from every conceivable. The following community groups were represented:

* Law Enforcement
* Medical Professionals
* EMS personnel
* All THREE County Commissioners
* School Administrators
* Non-Profits
* Governmental Agencies
* Addiction Specialists
* Economic and Workforce Development Agencies, and more.

The driving concept behind their successful approach? Let's surround the situation with HOPE. They refuse to leave their neighbors behind.

I would encourage anyone to attend a Noble Cares meeting. They are seeing tangible results in their community. State government MUST do more to empower and support local groups like this.

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