Governor calls on Legislature to support bipartisan “Penny-a-Pill” Opioid Stewardship Fee

Governor Dayton introduced his proposal to fight the opioid crisis 55 days ago 

There were 395 opioid overdose deaths in Minnesota in 2016, an 18 percent increase over the previous year 

ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today sent a letter to Republican Legislative Leaders in the Minnesota House and Senate, urging immediate action to address Minnesota’s opioid crisis. The Governor’s letter calls on the Legislature to support the bipartisan Opioid Stewardship Program, which would fund opioid abuse prevention and treatment strategies in every corner of Minnesota.

“As public servants, we should be protecting Minnesota families whose lives are being devastated by addiction, instead of protecting the special interests of the major pharmaceutical companies, who continue to perpetuate the problem,” reads Governor Dayton’s letter. “Our communities are struggling and families are being torn apart. The time to act for more treatment, more prevention, and more emergency services IS NOW.”

Joined by a bipartisan coalition of legislators, Governor Mark Dayton announced his legislative proposals to combat the opioid crisis and save lives across Minnesota 55 days ago. As of today, the House and Senate have yet to vote on any of the proposed lifesaving measures. Building on past actions taken by his administration, Governor Dayton’s opioid abuse proposals would annually invest about $12 million in high-impact strategies to treat and prevent opioid abuse, especially in communities that are disproportionately impacted by opioid addiction. 

To learn more about Governor Dayton’s proposals to combat the opioid crisis, including actions already underway, CLICK HERE.