Hassan issues report on opioid crisis

On Wednesday, August 24 Gov. Maggie Hassan released a report from James Vara, the Advisor on Addiction and Behavioral Health. 

The report outlined New Hampshire’s progress so far in the opioid crisis, from stricter penalties for fentanyl abuse to a statewide drug court program.

The report also issued recommendations for the future, such as establishing a needle exchange.  Gov. Hassan also said she will establish a committee to “analyze data and trends in the epidemic to ensure that resources are being allocated as effectively as possible.” 

Hassan issued the report amidst a series of advertisements criticizing her response to the opioid crisis.

The ads do not come directly from Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who is running against Hassan in the race for Senate.  Ayotte has said that “no one should play politics with the heroin epidemic.” 

Other Republicans are more than willing to critique Hassan’s response to the opioid crisis, however. 

In a press release state Sen. Jeb Bradley said, “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.” 

Hassan has also faced heavy criticism over Vara’s predecessor, Jack Wozmak, who resigned after local officials and members of the law enforcement community said Wozmak never communicated with them.

Do you have an opinion on Gov. Hassan’s response to the heroin epidemic, or the ads criticizing her?  Let us know in the comments.