Sen. Ross Appointed To Committee On Addiction

WAYLAND, MA—State Senator Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, was appointed to the special committee on addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery options this week by minority leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). The special committee intends to review existing state laws and funding, as well as implement and enforce recently enacted substance abuse legislation.

Ross represents the counties of Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex, which includes Natick and Wayland.

In addition to conducting a thorough review, the committee will aim to make recommendations to further strengthen opioid abuse prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery options as well as access to such programs for all residents of Massachusetts, said the announcement.

Ross currently serves on the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse and previously served on two special committees pertaining to the cause, expressed the necessity of prevention and recovery:

“With the proper addiction prevention services and recovery options, nearly 1,500 lives could have been saved from unintentional opioid overdoses in 2016," he said in a statement. "Our efforts on this committee directly affect the people of the Commonwealth, and with the right resources this issue can be remedied.”