Efforts to combat the state's growing heroin and opioid abuse problems have become the latest political football in the budget battle between Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan and Republican lawmakers.
The debate will play out Wednesday when a legislative committee must decide whether to accept $112,500 in grant money to continue paying Hassan's senior director for substance misuse and behavioral health, known as the state's "drug czar." Hassan appointed Jack Wozmak in January.
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is paying for the position for one year, but some lawmakers are questioning whether Wozmak has been effective.
Republican Sen. Andy Sanborn is calling for Wozmak to resign after reports that he had never met with some police chiefs, but Wozmak says he has no plans to step down.
