Gov. Baker files bill aimed at opioid epidemic

On Oct. 15, Gov. Charlie Baker filed legislation to combat the growing opioid addiction crisis in the Commonwealth.
 
The governor’s bill is aimed at both prevention efforts and treatment services.
 
A central element of the governor’s bill addresses the fact that opioid addiction often begins with the use of prescription medications. The bill would set a strict 72-hour limit on the supply of opioid painkillers that a doctor may prescribe to first-time patients.
 
This provision was met with some concern from the medical community, which fears that such a strict limit could harm patients who need prescription drugs to manage significant pain and chronic conditions.
 
The governor’s bill also would allow for those abusing opioids to be held for up to 72 hours for substance abuse treatment without a court order. The committal may be initiated by law enforcement, but must be approved by a qualified medical professional who believes that failure to commit a person would result in serious harm.
 
Additional provisions of the governor’s bill include the following:
 
• A requirement of at least five hours of specialized training for practitioners licensed to dispense drugs
 
• A requirement of training for coaches, teachers and others interacting with youths to help identify early indicators of addiction
 
• A requirement that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Public Health collaborate on a plan to support students in recovery high schools
 
The governor’s bill focuses on pulling treatment out of the criminal justice system and placing it in the medical community. To that end, the bill would eliminate the practice of placing women in MCI-Framingham for treatment, instead placing them in treatment centers approved by the Department of Public Health or Department of Mental Health. Proposed locations include Taunton State Hospital and Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Boston.
 
The Senate Ways and Means Committee has also reported out a bill aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic.
 
The Senate bill calls for verbal screenings of students in seventh and 10th grades to identify indicators of abuse. It would also require that new public safety officers be trained on medical assistance for persons experiencing an overdose through the Municipal Police Training Committee.
 
The MMA’s Municipal Opioid Addiction and Overdose Prevention Task Force will soon release a report focused on opportunities for municipal officials to take a central role in combatting opioid addiction.
 
“Through convening community stakeholders, including our local police and health care providers, gathering valuable resources for treatment, providing safe disposal sites for prescription drugs, providing prevention programs, and encouraging public awareness, local officials are at the forefront of the effort to turn around this epidemic,” says Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas, co-chair of the MMA’s task force.
 
Written by MMA Senior Legislative Analyst Katie S. McCue