ATLANTA (October 2, 2018) | Senator Dean Burke (R – Bainbridge) recently attended the Best Practices in Combatting the Opioid Epidemic Conference with senior members of the president’s administrative team and other state and local government officials to discuss comprehensive efforts and best practices on combatting the opioid epidemic.
“It was an honor to be invited to participate in this very important discussion on an issue that directly or indirectly affects all Georgians,” said Sen. Burke. “This epidemic knows no bounds and impacts all of our citizens regardless of class, age, race, gender or economic status. Addiction is a disease that negatively impacts our citizens, their families and that has taken too many lives. I am encouraged by the efforts being made on the national, state and local levels to determine what the best practices are to end this epidemic by providing necessary educational tools and treatment opportunities. As we go into the 2019 session, one of my priorities will be to work with all levels of government on any efforts to save the lives of Georgians from this epidemic.”
At the meeting, one of the highlighted points of discussion included National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in October. On this day, state, local, private sector and non-profit leaders will work with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to provide information to all Americans on addiction and overdose prevention. Additionally, there was a discussion on how the $930 million allocated in State Opioid Response Grants from the Office of Drug Control Policy and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be used to assist with community-driven solutions.
Along with Sen. Burke representing the state of Georgia and Senate District 11 at the meeting, one of the White House hosts of the event was William Crozer who is originally from Thomasville in Senate District 11. Mr. Crozer now works in Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House.
Footage from the conference can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2xg1MHfzSQ
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For Immediate Release:
October 2, 2018
Ines Owens, Director
ines.owens@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028