Drug abuse is running rampant across the country and state and ravaging communities.
Lawmakers have taken steps to target drug dealers and producers. Now while these steps are necessary, it’s also important to keep in mind those who have become addicted and help them on their road to recovery.
District 48 State Senator Mark Messmer of Jasper says legislators passed bills aimed at helping those who have become addicted by expanding access to the medicines and treatments they need, allowing those individuals to overcome their addiction and begin living a clean, healthy life.
Another bill legislators passed this session was Senate Enrolled Act 297, which requires more regulation for opioid treatment centers to ensure they operate in a responsible way.
Messmer says many times, these centers use medication like Methadone to reduce withdrawal symptoms of heroin addictions. However, he says research has shown that these medicines can be extremely addictive.
Messmer says these bills are just one step in a long-term effort to stop Indiana’s drug epidemic.
He says although the legislative session has ended, lawmakers will continue to work throughout the summer and fall to discuss issues facing the state. For more information on the work that was done during the 2016 legislative session, visit www.in.gov/iga.
And feel free to contact Messmer’s office directly with questions and concerns by email at Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.
