For Immediate Release:
August 24, 2016
Concord, NH – Today, Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) issued a statement following a press conference on the status of the opioid and heroin crisis in New Hampshire.
“James Vara has done more in his four and a half months as drug czar than his predecessor did during his entire tenure. After Governor Hassan kept an inept drug czar for more than a year, Vara’s competence is reassuring.”
“But before we pat ourselves on the back let’s remember the tragic overdose death toll is still rising, with the total number of deaths projected to be nearly 500 for 2016, up from 439 last year.”
“The legislature on a bipartisan basis, allocated additional funds for treatment and recovery, law enforcement, supportive housing, as well as a state-wide drug courts grant program.”
“Despite the legislature’s progress, we are still hearing that funding is not hitting the streets fast enough, in part caused by Gov Hassan’s veto of the 2015-16 budget for partisan purposes.”
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