By Samuel Mattison
Alabama Political Reporter
A new plan from the state government to combat opioid abuse hinges upon a four-step approach: prevention, intervention, treatment and community response.
Gov. Kay Ivey’s Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council released its official 74-page report Wednesday after gathering information for months prior.
The results of the inquiry paint a grim picture with overdose from opioid abuse now making up most drug deaths in Alabama. The report also said that Alabama ranked 1st in highest per capita of opioid prescriptions with 121 prescriptions per 100 persons in 2016.
To address the concerns, the council asked for more funding from the Legislature for data collection from the Alabama Department of Public Health on the number of opioid pills flowing through Alabama’s pharmacies.
In addition, the council also proposed plans to better prepare communities to deal with opiod use in their neighborhoods.
“Greater community awareness and participation in implementing prevention strategies is required given highly addictive and lethal opioids are now increasingly available throughout the state,” the report said.
Ivey, in a statement from her office, thanked the council for their report and said she looked forward to working with them to address the growing problem of opioid abuse.
