ND Opioid Symposium: Stopping Opioid Abuse Starts with Teamwork

Senator John Hoeven says in order for the state to get a handle on the opioid epidemic, there needs to be a comprehensive attack by everyone involved.

Hoeven says this act of teamwork and hard hitting legislation are the two keys to stopping the epidemic in the state.

He breaks down the Illegal Synthetic Drug Safety Act of 2016 and says it is bipartisan legislation aimed at closing the loopholes of synthetic drug sales.

Hoeven says these loopholes make it too easy for drugs to get into communities.

“People are able to call on the phone or get on the internet and get access to these drugs which should be Schedule I controlled substances, but these loopholes allow their sale. Our legislation prevents that from happening,” Sen. Hoeven says.

Sen. Hoeven says the bill also aims to help prevent, educate and work on treatment options.