Editorial

Idaho charts path to fight opioid crisis

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Opioid and substance misuse is one of America’s – and Idaho’s – growing problems.

It is not a problem that just affects the individuals who feel condemned to addiction, either.

Families and communities are affected.

State and community resources are going to crime, incarceration and lower quality of life, instead of education and prosperity.

This week, my Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Advisory Group convened for its first meeting.

I assembled the group by executive order in June. The opioid crisis is a multi-faceted challenge. To overcome it, I needed a diverse group representing law enforcement, the judiciary, the medical profession, policy makers, and educators to come together and identify steps we can take to solve it.

Nationally, life expectancy in America has decreased for the first time because of the scourge of opioid and affiliated drug misuse. Nearly 150 deaths occur every single day. For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.