Fighting Opioid Addiction
I gladly joined my Senate colleagues in approving Senate Bill 609 this week to help Missouri fight opioid addiction and properly deploy resources to treat addiction and help law enforcement deal with this growing crisis.
You may know that Missouri and many other states are engaged in lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors that could result in hundreds of millions paid out to state governments. Our former attorney general began Missouri’s lawsuit, and our current attorney general has continued the suit to recover damages for the state.
Senate Bill 609 ensures that any payouts from these lawsuits will only be used for:
- Opioid addiction treatment;
- Opioid prevention programs; and
- Health care and law enforcement costs related to opioid treatment and prevention.
It would be inappropriate for these funds to be thrown into general revenue and be lost in the normal course of government business. Opioid addiction has caused untold pain to families and communities across our state, and I believe any funds recovered from unethical manufacturers and distributors should be used to help heal this damage.
Many of us in Franklin and St. Louis Counties have seen drug addiction wreak havoc on families and the impacted individuals. My hope with SB 609 is that some of those harmed by addiction can seek treatment under the provisions of the bill.
On a related topic, the Missouri House of Representatives gave initial approval to House Bill 1693, the Narcotics Control Act. In the past, I have sponsored similar legislation and have fought for its passage. This bill creates a prescription drug monitoring program, with stringent privacy requirements, to help doctors identify addicts and cut down on “doctor shopping.” Missouri is the only state without such a program in the county.
Fighting drug addiction and getting help for addicts has been one of my policy priorities while serving in the State Capitol, and 2020 will be no different on that front. I am certain that the Narcotics Control Act will be debated extensively on the Senate floor, and I will continue to support its passage.
It is an honor to serve you in the Missouri Senate. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (573) 751-3678 or by email at dave.schatz@senate.mo.gov if you have any questions or concerns — we are honored to serve you.