NH Heroin Task Force Makes More Recommendations

CONCORD, NH - The Division I subcommittee of the Joint Task Force for the response to the heroin and opioid epidemic recommended two key pieces of legislation to the full task force on Dec. 9, 2015, according to a press statement. The first piece would remove the preauthorization requirement and standardize the high level of treatment provided by insurance companies for substance abuse treatment and the second will expand drug and alcohol education in schools.

“Removing the insurer’s prior authorization requirement for substance use disorder outpatient services provides individuals who seek emergency treatment with the ability to obtain care without delay. In addition, this legislation would require insurance providers to standardize the criteria for rendering substance abuse care and provide a high level of care that is consistent regardless of provider,” said state Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, task force chairman.

“Throughout the task force’s meetings, we’ve heard consistent and compelling testimony that there are often small windows of opportunity when addicts seek medical care or treatment and these barriers can discourage them from seeking treatment. This legislation would ensure that addicts are receiving consistent, high quality care and these services are adequately covered by their insurance providers,” said Bradley.

“Another important step our subcommittee made against the heroin epidemic is recommending to the whole task force for expedited review in January to clarify current statute regarding age appropriate drug and alcohol education for students starting in kindergarten through grade 12,” said state Sen. Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton.

“It is proven that proper and regular drug and alcohol education is critical in preventing future drug abuse by our students. While many school districts already provide drug and alcohol education, this legislation directs that evidence based prevention education be taught consistently throughout the span of a student’s public education addressing the problem at a very young age,” added Stiles.

Forrester applauds recommendation of high intensity drug enforcement

The Division III of Joint Task Force for the response to the heroin and opioid crisis in New Hampshire voted to recommend legislation expanding a successful law enforcement program targeting drug trafficking to the full Task Force to be expedited in early 2016.

State Sen. Jeanie Forrester, R-Meredith, Division III vice chairman of the Joint Task Force, issued the following statement:

“The legislation recommended to the full task force would expand the intensity drug enforcement grant program to cities and towns statewide. This program combines town and city law enforcement with support from New Hampshire state troopers to conduct operations on high crime and drug usage days and is aimed at taking drug traffickers off our streets,” said Senator Jeanie Forrester.

“The program was successfully piloted in Manchester, taking more than 45 drug dealers off of the streets in only four operations and sending a powerful message to traffickers that New Hampshire is committed to ending risky and illegal drug activity. By reducing the number of drug dealers on our streets, we may be able to effectively tighten the supply and prevent new users from accessing heroin, fentanyl and other deadly drugs.”

“We know that we need a multi-faceted response to the heroin and opioid crisis and this program would strengthen the law enforcement response, addressing a critical component of reducing drug activity in our communities. I am proud to have the support of the Division III committee and look forward to a full vote of the Task Force allowing expedited review of this important legislation in January,” said Forrester.

Bradley, Boutin advocate for drug court legislation

The Joint Task Force for the response to the heroin and opioid epidemic in New Hampshire met to review drug court legislation which would allow each county to choose to voluntarily establish a drug court to serve their community. The Division III members unanimously recommended the drug court legislation for early consideration during the upcoming legislative session to the whole Task Force.

Bradley and state Sen. David Boutin, R-Hooksett, who co-sponsored the drug court bill, issued the following statements pertaining to the discussion.

“By giving New Hampshire’s Counties the ability to voluntarily opt-in to this drug court program, and allowing for flexibility in prosecution and discretion when deciding an offender’s eligibility for this program, this legislation can be tailored to effectively support the specific needs of counties large and small across the state,” said Bradley.

“I am grateful for the support shown today for establishing a drug court grant program. We’ve spent months meeting with key stakeholders, and developing this legislation together and today’s discussion helped us to examine each component of the drug courts more closely,” said Boutin.

“Drug Courts are proven to play a major role in the response to the heroin and opioid crisis by working to reduce the rate of recidivism and relapse for individuals struggling with drug addiction who become repeat criminal offenders. Drug Courts provide accountability, treatment, and recovery services that give repeat offenders the opportunity to break from the cycle of addiction and incarceration,” said Bradley.

“We will continue to make improvements to this legislation, answer questions, and address any concerns that arise so that we can see this bill move quickly through the legislative process in preparation for a vote by both the full House and Senate in the upcoming session,” added Boutin.