State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis) made the following statement regarding today’s meeting of the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services:
STATE HOUSE (Sept. 27, 2018) – “Today I had the opportunity to present to the committee on a variety of issues, including a summary of the opioid treatment programs, providers licensed to prescribe buprenorphine, addiction counselors, recovery residences, syringe services programs and other treatment resources available around Indiana. As a state, we need to do anything and everything we can to help those who are addicted get the help they need to recover and live a better, healthier life.
“Opioid misuse negatively affects not only individuals, but also our economy. A 2018 study by the Indiana Business Review shows that Indiana has sustained $43.3 billion in economic damages to date as a result of opioid misuse. This number includes direct costs, which are losses associated with products and services to combat the epidemic, and indirect costs, which are losses to gross state product due to lost work productivity. Having ongoing discussions on this crisis is critical as we form a plan of attack for the upcoming legislative session.”
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Contact: Laura Hauersperger, Press Secretary
Laura.Hauersperger@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
