SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today Gov. Mark Dayton sent a letter to Republican legislative leaders in the Minnesota House and Senate, urging immediate action to address Minnesota’s opioid crisis. The Governor’s letter calls on the Legislature to support the bipartisan Opioid Stewardship Program, which would fund opioid abuse prevention and treatment strategies in every corner of Minnesota. As of today, the House and Senate have yet to vote on any of the proposed lifesaving measures.
Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) released the following statement:
“Too many families, with a disproportionate amount of them right here in Duluth, have been devastated by our opioid crisis. I completely agree with Gov. Dayton that the time to enact measures ending this epidemic is now.
”The Opioid Stewardship Program contains several common-sense strategies to prevent addiction, provide treatment for those who need it, and ensure people in recovery have the support they need. A penny-a-pill fee is a completely reasonable way to pay for this. This is asking the pharmaceutical companies – who have made such massive profits off of these drugs while showing no accountability for the lives lost – the very least.
“At this stage of the game, the only thing needed to get this done is a little bit of leadership from the Republican majorities in the House and Senate, and there’s zero reason to wait any longer. It would be completely irresponsible to allow this legislative session to adjourn without having taken bold action to end the epidemic and save Minnesotans’ lives.”