Contact: Rep. John Nygren
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Madison–State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, and author of 30 pieces of legislation aimed at combating the opioid epidemic released the following statement:

“Yesterday, it was announced that 16 county jails are eligible for a medication-assisted treatment program funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). I am happy to see our efforts put into action. Programs like this save lives and help those in recovery stay on the path towards success.”

The funding for these grants was provided in the most recent round of the Heroin, Opioid, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Agenda bills. Participating inmates receive a dose of an injectable medication before their release that treats opioid use disorder. A treatment plan after release that includes counseling and follow-up injections provided in the community is established to ensure success. For a full list of grant recipients and amounts please click here.

Since 2013, Representative John Nygren, Co-chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse, has been leader on addiction issues not only in Wisconsin, but nationwide. Wisconsin has passed 30 bipartisan pieces of legislation as a part of the HOPE Agenda. Through partnerships with law enforcement, the recovery community and healthcare professionals, and many others, Wisconsin is seeing decreases in the amount of opioids prescribed.

  • Data recently released by the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is very promising.
  • When comparing the 2017 April-June time period to the same months in 2016, 2017 saw 17.5 million fewer opioid dosages dispensed. This represents a 12% decrease from the previous year.
  • When comparing the 2017 June – December time period to the same months in 2016, there was a decrease of 433,639 total opioids prescriptions, or a 16% decrease.
  • When comparing 2015 to 2017, 20% fewer opioids were dispensed. 1,039,646 fewer prescriptions.

“I would like to thank Governor Scott Walker for his continued support and passion for this issue. Additionally, I would like to thank Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch who is Co-chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse with me. Due to her leadership on this issue as well as her hard work on the Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse, Wisconsin is leading the way.”

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