After today’s recommendations from the National Governors Association, Rep. Brady Walkinshaw (D – Seattle) issued the following statement:
“The opioid epidemic in America is an exploding problem that is harming families and costing lives. In Washington state we’ve worked hard over the last two years to take important steps to curb the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic.
“Last year the House and Senate sent my bill to expand access to Naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an overdose, to Governor Inslee for his eventual signature.
“This year, I was proud to co-sponsor legislation from my colleague Rep. Strom Peterson (D – Edmonds) to expand the prescription drug monitoring program. This measure helps prescribers keep track of the prescription history of potential addicts, in order to better prevent their clients with opioid addictions from shopping around for multiple prescriptions.
“I’ve also introduced legislation for people re-entering society after serving time, to receive access to medication-assisted treatment.
“Today I’d like to applaud and support the National Governors Association’s call on the federal government to take further action in turning the tide of this insidious epidemic.
“Governor Inslee and the rest of the National Governor’s Association should be commended for taking on an issue of such importance.
“I’m happy to work with Governor Inslee and the National Governor’s Association to find new ways of caring for those struggling with opioid dependency, and finding ways to prevent such addictions before they occur.”