(WWLP) – There’s a new Substance Use Disorder Bill in the works crafted by the Senate and the House. 22News spoke with leaders about the impact this could have on tackling issues with the opioid epidemic in our state.
“We’re losing too far too many human beings to the scourges of addiction,” said Senator John Velis.
Senator Velis is advocating for a bill that would help more people afford addiction treatment. He said this year alone, more than 2,000 people in Massachusetts lost their lives to an opioid-related death.
“Kids are buying pills on the internet or elsewhere thinking there is something when there is nothing more than a counterfeit fentanyl pill, we’re losing kids,” added Senator Velis.
To help save lives, Senator Velis is in favor of implementing a Substance Use Disorder Bill. The Massachusetts House and Senate have both passed legislation with similar topics, like expanding access to Narcan.
“This drug can stop an overdose and help someone get on the path to recovery,” expressed Senior Vice President at Behavioral Health Network, Kathy Mague.
The bill also promises to expand harm reduction programs and establish licensure and oversight for recovery coaches. Behavioral Health Network Senior Vice President, Kathy Mague says they currently serve 2,400 individuals in medication-assisted treatment daily across western Massachusetts. Behavioral Health Network employs 20 recovery coaches who help support individuals in various phases of recovery.
Mague believes recovery coaches are vital in helping the community get clean. “Having someone with lived experience who has walked in your shoes is a very powerful tool that they too can achieve recovery,” said Mague.
Negotiations for this bill have begun and are expected to continue for the next couple of weeks.
The bill is currently being discussed by two conference committees formed by both the Senate and the House.
Once a compromise is reached, the bill will be presented for a vote in each chamber. If passed, it will then be sent to Governor Healey’s desk for final approval and signing.
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