Addiction

Neither Joyce Craig nor Kelly Ayotte has released a detailed plan for addressing substance use, though they have outlined some policy ideas.

Ahead of the 2016 primary, candidates from both parties made a point of talking about addiction. This year, Republicans are largely tying the issue to China and the southern border.

In response to NHPR’s “The 13th Step” podcast, a group of lawmakers and substance use disorder treatment providers are proposing new legislation to create more oversight of recovery programs in New Hampshire.

A local police department is also slated to get more than $950,000 for unspecified opioid-related expenses.

Last year, people in Coos County died of overdoses at twice the statewide rate.

As officials decide how to spend the money, they’re also confronting larger questions about how best to respond to the ongoing addiction crisis.

Doug Griffin became an advocate for recovery after his daughter Courtney died of a fentanyl overdose in 2014.

The change could make it easier to get fentanyl test strips and other drug-checking tools. Advocates say that would help prevent overdoses and other harms.

As xylazine spreads across New England, New Hampshire health workers say the state could do more to warn people about its risks.

The agreement is part of a national settlement that alleges Walmart contributed to the opioid crisis by not properly overseeing the dispensing of the medications.