Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Signs New Legislation To Combat Opioid Crisis

GOP Governor Scott Walker is taking major action to combat the opioid crisis in Wisconsin. Today, Governor Walker signed two new bills into law as part of the state’s Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education agenda that increase funding for drug-related law enforcement and require proof of continuing education for medical personnel. With Governor Walker’s commitment to tackling the dangers of opioids in his state, Wisconsin is setting an example in its response to the addiction crisis.

The Green Bay Press Gazette reports:

“Two opioid-related bills designed to give additional resources to law enforcement to handle drug cases and require proof of continuing education for medical professionals were signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker Monday.

The bills are part of the state’s Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) agenda. Monday’s bill signing at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay brought the number of laws created to fighting the opioid crisis to 30.

Signing the bill publicly was a way to shed additional light on the issue, Walker said.  

‘Addiction knows no boundaries,’ he said.

Assembly Bill 906 creates grant programs ‘related to drug trafficking, evidence-based substance abuse prevention, juvenile and family treatment courts, and drug treatment for inmates of county jails.’ The bill also creates two Department of Justice attorney positions to help with drug-related cases. It adds a total of $2.75 million for general purpose revenue and $500,000 in federal block grant money.

Assembly Bill 907 requires medical personnel who prescribe controlled substances to submit proof of continuing education for best practices for prescribing controlled substances when applying to renew a license.”