10/01/2018- Representative John Nygren is taking his fight against opioid addiction all the way to the White House. The Marinette native joined other policy leaders from across the country at the capital to discuss state-led opioid policy initiatives. Nygren took the opportunity to not only share what Wisconsin is doing to address the epidemic, but also to discuss with the administration proposed changes to barriers at the federal level that could assist the state’s efforts.
Nygren says the prevalence of opioid abuse throughout Marinette County and within his own family was a call to action for the lawmaker. Wisconsin is now at the forefront of policy regarding how opioids are prescribed and Nygren credits that to the state’s collaborative approach.
Wisconsin saw 883 opioid overdose deaths in 2017. However, state initiatives to curb abuse are gaining traction. Wisconsin has recently been awarded a two-year federal grant totaling nearly $24 million to support a comprehensive response to the state’s opioid crisis.