Make no mistake: This is a national public health emergency, and we still don’t see a robust federal response. The current federal budget negotiations give us an opportunity to right this wrong.
Believing that the local church is uniquely equipped to confront the opioid epidemic, Pastor Steve Jesmer Jr. and his staff have organized Hope Weekend 2016, April 16 and 17, partnering with dozens of community leaders and organizations to bring hope to a city where all else seems to be failing.
The money will be used around the state to support new services such as withdrawal management services, medication assisted treatment and various 24/7 crisis services, including a new statewide crisis hotline.
U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte will join a group of panelists who talk about what is being done to address the opioid crisis from a national, international, regional, state, and local level, with a specific focus on federal legislation and law enforcement efforts to reduce the supply of heroin and fentanyl.
In what the Mayor himself acknowledged was nothing more than a measure to get media attention, he is now pushing for a 21-day State of Emergency to be called to raise public awareness of this important issue. The notion that we can solve this crisis by increasing public awareness at a time when families across our city know far too well about its devastating toll is absurd. Empty rhetoric in the face of a state-wide health crisis does nothing but put more people at risk.
“As we continue our work to keep our communities healthy and to combat the heroin and opioid crisis facing our state, we must also confront other threats to the safety and well-being of our people.”
“The opioid crisis is spiraling out of control,” said Shaheen. “This should be an all-hands-on-deck moment, not just for New Hampshire, but for our country. We are losing lives daily and our first responders, healthcare providers and criminal justice system are overwhelmed. To stem the tide, we urgently need additional funding for prevention, treatment and recovery efforts, and this legislation would provide resources to those on the frontlines.”
Governor Maggie Hassan will join Department of Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes, Attorney General Joe Foster, Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard and other local officials Oct. 1 to announce two state substance abuse grants that will help support efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis in high-risk communities like Manchester.