Governor Gina Raimondo signs an executive order to create a task force to take on the opioid crisis in Rhode Island. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News.
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
Governor Gina Raimondo signs an executive order that will establish the Governor’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force.
“We had almost 300 accidental overdose deaths in Rhode Island last year and these are people who should be alive. So we have to do more. It’s a public health crisis, addiction is a disease, and recovery is possible,” said Governor Raimondo.
The task force has until November to submit an action plan that includes clear goals, objectives, and metrics to combat the addition and overdose crisis.
“It is an All-Star team on the task force,” said Raimondo. The team will consist of various professionals from law enforcement, pharmacies, colleges, the state, recovering addicts, and recovery centers.
This year 94 people have died of accidental drug overdose. “This problem is very real and, as the numbers indicate, it is not going away,” said Director of the Department of Health Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott.
Alexander-Scott and Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals Director Maria Montanaro have been named co-chairs of the task force.
