Bills providing resources to address the opioid crisis plaguing Indiana communities will likely receive little debate and strong support during the upcoming short session of the Indiana General Assembly, Columbus legislators say.
That’s because narcotic addictions threaten the state in ways ranging from public safety to workforce development and education, said State Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus.
But instead of just treating the symptoms, a second state legislator said he wants more information on why people get hooked on drugs such as heroin and prescription pain pills in the first place.
“Is it over-prescribing?” State Rep. Milo Smith, R-Columbus. “Or have some people lost all hope for a better tomorrow?”
If the latter turns out to be the case, Smith said lawmakers need to work to restore that lost hope.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
