(NASHVILLE) — This week, House Republicans passed an initiative sponsored by State Representative Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) designed to fight Tennessee’s opioid crisis.
Part of Governor Haslam’s Tennessee Together proposal, House Bill 1832 curbs instances of opioid abuse in Tennessee through updates to the state’s controlled substance schedules in order to better track, monitor, and penalize the use and unlawful distribution of dangerous and addictive drugs — including fentanyl.
Additionally, the bill includes sentence reduction credits for prisoners who successfully complete intensive substance use disorder treatment programs while incarcerated.
In 2016 alone, there were over 1,600 opioid-related overdose deaths, one of the highest death rates in the nation, and statistics show these numbers are only increasing. Each day in Tennessee, at least three people die from opioid-related overdoses — more than the daily number of traffic fatalities.
In partnership with the Metro Drug Coalition, Representative Dunn has led efforts in his community to identify substance abuse solutions and also provide direction to address this dangerous health issue in recent years. He remains committed to working with his colleagues in the House chamber to create solutions that address all sides of this very complex issue.
“We have reached a defining moment in our state as it relates to fighting opioid and drug addiction that many of our residents have unfortunately become all too familiar with,” said Representative Dunn. “House Bill 1832 is an important step forward in breaking the cycle of addiction and ending this public health crisis. I am pleased that my colleagues have chosen to support this measure.”
House Bill 1832 now awaits passage in the Senate. For more information about this initiative, please click here.
Bill Dunn serves as Chairman of the House Calendar & Rules Committee. He is also a member of the House Transportation and House Education Instructions & Programs Committees, as well as the House Education Instruction & Program Subcommittee. Dunn lives in Knoxville and represents House District 16 which includes part of Knox County. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling (615) 741-1721.