NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) this week created a task force on opioid and prescription drug abuse, and appointed Speaker Pro Tempore Curtis Johnson (R-Clarksville) to chair the panel.
The task force’s immediate goal will be to work on legislation, but its efforts will be ongoing to determine the best strategies for tackling the opioid epidemic. Tennessee is consistently ranked at the top of the charts nationally with regards to prescription drug abuse.
“This task force presents an opportunity to have a very serious conversation about opioid and prescription drug abuse in our state,” Speaker Pro Tem Johnson said. “I’m honored Speaker Harwell has placed her trust in me to work with my colleagues to find a solution to this devastating epidemic we face in Tennessee.”
In 2015, 1,451 Tennesseans died from drug overdoses, the highest annual number in the state’s history. In addition, the number of babies born who have been chronically exposed to opioids is high, particularly in East Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reports that from 2000 to 2012, the rate of babies born with exposure increased 15 fold.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that prescription opioid abuse has a total economic burden of $78.5 billion per year in the United States. There is an estimated $7.7 billion criminal justice cost across the country.
“I appreciate the Speaker Pro Tem’s willingness to serve on this task force. I have asked the members to work toward legislation that can be filed this year, as well as working collaboratively with other members who have legislation on the topic. I believe we can create some comprehensive solutions to this epidemic,” concluded Speaker Harwell.