UNDATED, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Whitmer has signed Executive Order 2019-18 in order to create the new Michigan Opioids Task Force.
The purpose of the task force is to identify the causes of the opioid epidemic, as well as to help those affected find resources to get healthier. It will also help create public awareness of the issue.
“As governor, my number one priority is protecting our families and our overall public health,” Governor Whitmer said in a press release. “Right now, Michigan is among the states with the highest levels of opioid prescriptions and overdose deaths, with 2,053 overdoses in 2017 alone. This task force will bring us one step closer to finally ending the opioid epidemic in Michigan and keeping families safe.”
The Opioids Task Force will be chaired by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun.
“Too many families have been devastated by the opioid epidemic in Michigan,” Dr. Khaldun added in the press release. “If we’re going to keep Michiganders safe and healthy, we must get to work addressing this crisis. The team at MDHHS is ready to work with all of our partners in state government to help Michiganders get on the road to recovery and prevent opioid addiction in the first place.”
Attorney General Dana Nessel is in favor of the new task force.
“The opioids epidemic has far-reaching implications on Michiganders, our communities and our economy,” Nessel said in a press release. “I applaud Gov. Whitmer for taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to combating this epidemic by creating a task force that gets at the root of this systemic public health crisis. Michigan wins when we all work together to tackle challenges and my office stands ready to support the Governor’s efforts and play an active role in this task force.”
Last June, Governor Whitmer announced $5 million in grants to various Michigan hospitals to help fund their opioid treatment programs.
