March 25, 2021

House Republican Opioid Prevention Bill Moves Forward

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HARTFORD — A House Republican proposal to expand a successful opioid abuse prevention program cleared a major legislative hurdle yesterday. State Representative Robin Green (R-Marlborough), the lead Republican on the joint Public Safety Committee, confirmed that HB-5586 An Act Requiring Expansion of the CRISIS Initiative Pilot Program Throughout the State received a unanimous vote in the committee to move forward.

“Combatting the opioid epidemic has been a top priority for our committee and our caucus in the 2021 session. We’ve already seen that the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the widespread issue of opioid abuse in our state. We recognize and applaud the unique and important roles our first responders and mental health professionals play responding to this emergency, and we believe this bill will further coordination between local communities and the state on this issue. I commend Rep. Lanoue for his tireless advocacy and I ask my colleagues in the House and Senate to see that this proposal receives a debate and a vote for passage,” Rep. Green said.

Rep. Brian Lanoue of Griswold, the primary sponsor of the bill, was pleased with the committee’s action on the measure. “The CRISIS Pilot Initiative is a proven model of excellence for bringing together our law enforcement and mental health professionals in combatting the opioid epidemic and many other mental health disorders. This past year with a new record high in overdose deaths, paired with the increase in mental disorders as a result of the COVID related isolations, CRISIS is needed now more than ever. I want to thank the Public Safety Committee for making CRISIS one step closer to being available to our law enforcement across Connecticut and getting those most afflicted with the help they desperately need,” Rep. Lanoue said.

The CRISIS Initiative Pilot Program promotes collaboration between local and state emergency response, mental health and substance abuse professionals to provide treatment and prevention resources to individuals struggling with opioid abuse. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased social isolation, stress and uncertainty for many residents, with a corresponding increase in the number of opioid-related emergencies, according to recent studies in Connecticut and across the nation.

Following yesterday’s vote in the Public Safety Committee, the bill awaits further action in the House of Representatives where the House Republican caucus hopes it will receive bipartisan support.

To learn more about House Republicans’ RestartCT platform, visit: cthousegop.com/RestartCT.