Rep. Richard Brown encouraged by DeWine's Recovery Ohio announcement

State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Columbus) today applauded Governor-elect Mike DeWine’s announced “opioid czar” tasked with leading the new administration’s response to Ohio’s opioid crisis.

“I am happy to see the governor-elect heard the voices within Ohio communities calling for change and has made the appointment of an opioid czar a top priority for the new administration,” said Brown. “I look forward to working together to ensure that this position becomes a permanent fixture in the governor’s office so that Ohio families know they have an ally fighting for them.”

Rep. Brown sent a letter on Nov. 28to Ohio House Speaker Ryan Smith (R-Bidwell) and Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina), copying Governor-elect DeWine, urging them to pass House Bill (HB) 767, Brown’s proposed Ohio Office of Drug Policy, a statewide office coordinating the state’s response to the ongoing opioid crisis, headed by an office coordinator, akin to an “opioid czar”.

Brown announced the effort in August alongside a bipartisan group of community leaders and introduced HB 767 last month.  The adoption of HB 767 would make DeWine’s proposed “opioid czar” a permanent position within the governor’s administration.

State lawmakers referred HB 767 to the House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee where it awaits its first hearing.

Rep. Richard Brown encouraged by DeWine's Recovery Ohio announcement (PDF)