Issue Position: Battling the Opioid Epidemic

Issue Position

My passion for helping families struggling with the opioid epidemic comes from my life experiences. My childhood took a turn when my mom hurt her back and became addicted to opioids when I was just 6 years old. I saw first-hand the struggle that so many families face when one of the kids or parents develops a dependency on prescription drugs, and how it can lead to tragic consequences like homelessness, hospitalization, or even the death of a loved one. My mom finally asked for help last year to recover from her addiction, but our broken healthcare system left her with nowhere to go. Last year, we made a first-of-it's-kind investment in treatment and support for people struggling with addiction, which is projected to save lives, and also save our state hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

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