City-County Task Force on Opioid Epidemic Provides Strategies for Local Leaders

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the City-County National Task Force on the Opioid Epidemic released a new report called, A Prescription for Action: Local Resolve in Ending the Opioid Crisis. The report provides recommendations for how local officials can respond to the growing opioid epidemic through strong leadership, a focus on education and prevention, expansion of treatment and reassessing public safety and law enforcement approaches. 

The task force comes from a joint initiative between the National League of Cities (NLC) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) in response to the rapid escalation and deadly impact of prescription drug abuse and heroin use in cities and counties. NLC and NACo assembled the 22-member task force to explore how cities and counties can strengthen collaboration with each other and state, federal, private-sector and non-profit partners to tackle the opioid crisis.

"Every day, overdoses and deaths from prescription opioids devastate families and communities across the country," said Task Force Co-Chair and National League of Cities (NLC) Second Vice President Mark Stodola, mayor of Little Rock, Ark. "In response to this public health crisis, the City-County National Task Force on the Opioid Epidemic engaged local leaders, national experts and public health and safety officials to develop actionable recommendations for local governments. The task force is calling on state and federal actors to support and amplify these efforts."

Task Force Co-Chair Gary Moore, judge/executive of Boone County, Ky., added, "The opioid epidemic has taken a tremendous and tragic toll on countless local communities throughout our nation – regardless of size, wealth or demographics. From small rural counties to large metropolitan areas, local governments are facing extraordinary levels of drug-related overdoses and fatalities and often struggling to find solutions." Ultimately, he said, "Through this report and its recommendations, we aim to help local leaders address the crisis in their counties and cities and work toward strengthening the health and safety of all of our residents."

The full report and additional resources can be found at: www.opioidaction.org 

On Thursday, November 17 at 3 p.m., the task force co-chairs and local government leaders will host a press call to discuss the recommendations and how the opioid epidemic should be addressed at every level of government. Details are below:

About the National League of Cities:
The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. www.nlc.org

About the National Association of Counties:
The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America's 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public's understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.

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SOURCE National League of Cities

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