Dear Neighbors,
Another busy week in St. Paul is coming to a close, and I’m pleased with the progress made over the last few days. We took steps in fighting the opioid epidemic and passed major legislation to improve school safety.
Important Event
Before getting to this week’s news, I want to make sure you’re aware of a national event taking place tomorrow. National Drug Take Back Day - which runs from 10am until 2pm - is a chance where you can bring unused prescriptions to local collection sites to be safely disposed of. As we’re fighting opioid abuse, one way to do that is by disposing unused medication, keeping it off the street. I urge you, if you have any unused prescriptions, especially an opioid painkiller, please bring it to our nearby collection center at the Kandiyohi Sheriff's Office tomorrow.
I’ll be at the Sheriff’s Office from noon until 2pm tomorrow helping with the take back effort. I hope to see you as we work together to fight this epidemic.
For more information on the event, please click here.
School Safety Legislation
Coming into this session, there was a renewed focus on improving school safety throughout the state. Yesterday, we passed our larger education proposal that was focused on keeping students safe in the classroom. I voted for our education plan because it combines school safety measures with common sense reforms that can have a lasting, positive impact on schools throughout Minnesota.
New Opioid Guidelines
Yesterday, I joined Governor Dayton, Sen. Chris Eaton, and Sen. Julie Rosen at a press conference to unveil new opioid prescribing guidelines, as well as $700,000 in grants to fight opioid addiction. The new prescribing guidelines are meant to limit the number of opioids doctors give patients, reducing the risk of addiction and dependence. This is another important piece to turning this tide and to saving lives.
As you know, I’ve been working on legislation to get more funds for our state to combat opioid addiction. We’ve had some bumps along the way, but I’m currently working on a bill with some of the provisions I think can make a big difference. We need resources NOW, and I’m working on a variety of ways to do that.
Please Contact Me
If you ever need anything, please call or email my office. I love hearing your ideas, or any ways I can be of assistance to you and your family.
Have a great weekend,
Dave