Congressman Chris Smith today called upon his colleagues in the U.S. Senate to take swift action on a series of bills that passed this House this week which boost the federal response to the opioid crisis with support for victims and service providers.
The legislation passed this weeks targets $3.3 billion in funding that was part of the 2018 omnibus spending bill signed into law by President Trump earlier this year.
“As the opioid epidemic continues to proliferate, our efforts to treat and prevent this disease at the federal level must be redoubled,” Smith said. “This crisis requires a more aggressive and comprehensive response to the problem, which is exactly what this package of bills will accomplish. The Senate needs to pass this legislation as quickly as possible—the severity of the crisis demands it.” Read the rest of this entry »
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie will announce this week $200 million in new initiatives to target the opioid crisis, primarily designed to overhaul addiction services, as he makes a final push on the issue he hopes will define his legacy. In a 90-minute interview with NJ Advance Media on Friday, Christie said the funding will be… Read the rest of this entry »
Scott Rudder Turn on any radio or television channel and you will hear a report or an advertisement about the opioid addiction crisis in New Jersey and across the United States. If you continue to stay tuned to that channel, you will hear an advertisement promoting a prescription drug to help you with your pain issues.… Read the rest of this entry »
Governor Chris Christie commemorated the opening of the Seabrook House outpatient drug treatment facility in Shrewsbury this morning by shouting down “NIMBY” protesters from the neighborhood who are not happy that the facility is located 200 yards from an elementary school.
The Governor shouted to the protesters that some students attending the school will one day drug and alcohol treatment and that they will be the people complaining that there is not enough treatment available.
Governor Chris Christie (Governor’s Office/ Mykwain Gainey)
JERSEY CITY — Gov. Chris Christie is done asking Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to pay big bucks to expand drug treatment in New Jersey. Now, he’s telling. Christie on Thursday announced he was proposing legislation giving future governors the ability to appoint four new directors to Horizon’s 15 member board, require greater… Read the rest of this entry »
Doctors issuing mass opioid prescriptions in New Jersey are facing a legal crackdown to combat rampant heroin addiction fueled by painkillers. A record number of doctors in the state were sanctioned in 2016 over their irresponsible prescribing habits, resulting in long-term suspensions, permanent revocation of medical licenses and in some cases criminal charges. George Beecher, a… Read the rest of this entry »
(Editor’s note: This is the original unedited edition of an OpEd published in The Asbury Park Press. “They edited out some good stuff,” O’Scanlon said)
Last month, my brother passed away…..almost exactly 33 years from the day our mother died. He was the same age as my mother when she died, and he died of exactly the same cause – addiction.
Bill highlights differences between O’Scanlon and Handlin in LD-13 Senate Race
Handlin says new law punishes patients for the sins and transgressions of addicts
Governor Chris Christie signed legislation today that compels New Jersey health insurance companies to cover inpatient care to opioid addicts, implements a 5 day limit on the first prescription for opioid painkillers, and requires doctors to discuss the dangers of opioid addiction with patients.
Assemblyman Rob Clifton (R-12 Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean and Burlington) renewed his call for legislative action today on his bill (A3104) that would protect the lives and well-being on police officers and EMS personnel who administer NARCAN or similar opioid antidotes. The bill would require drug users who are treated for overdoses to undergo blood testing for infectious disease if an officer or first responder was exposed to bodily fluid.
“Every day, our police and EMS workers risk their health responding to drug-related emergencies,” said Clifton. “Narcan has been administered more than 18,000 times in this state since 2014. When the drug is administered, and during the resuscitation of the endangered user, contact with blood or digestive liquids is a common occurrence.”
