State Opioid Czar Recommended for Ohio

Ohio should name a state opioid czar, declare a public health emergency and increase the number of drug courts and treatment centers to combat the opioid abuse crisis, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said.

Declaration by the governor of a public health emergency, which would require legislative authorization, would allow for emergency funding for hard-hit cities and towns and speed up licensing for health professionals and social workers, DeWine said in releasing his Recovery Ohio proposal.

Other steps in the proposal include creating incentives for employers to hire workers in recovery and providing K-12 drug-prevention education.