Rep. Brown applauds Committee passage of House Bill 328, to create the Office of Drug Policy

COLUMBUS – Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) applauded the passage of his House Bill (HB) 328, which creates the Office of Drug Policy within the Governor’s Cabinet, out of the House Behavioral Health and Recovery Supports Committee by a unanimous vote today. This legislation was re-introduced by Representative Brown this General Assembly after it passed the House unanimously and stalled in the Senate during the 133rd General Assembly.

“By passing this bill and creating the Office of Drug Policy, Ohio would send a clear message that we are serious about ending the opioid epidemic,” said Rep. Brown. “I look forward to seeing this bill brought before the House for a floor vote soon and hope to see it pass again with bipartisan, unanimous support. Ohioans across the state who are struggling with addiction need our help, and they need action now.”

Rep. Brown is the sponsor of HB 328, which would create the Office of Drug Policy to bring a comprehensive, statewide approach to tackling the opioid crisis in Ohio. The Office of Drug Policy would serve as a coordinated, unified entity for community officials, law enforcement officers, social workers and local communities to seek out best practices, available grants, state rules, new education programs, and more anti-drug abuse resources.

HB 328 now awaits a floor vote in the House.