DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) – The fight against opiate abuse in Wisconsin continues as Governor Scott Walker signs 4 new HOPE Agenda bills Monday in De Pere.
The signing took place at the Medical College of Wisconsin located on the St. Norbert College Campus.
Walker says opiate addiction crosses all borders.
“The small towns, suburbs, big cities, everywhere in between. It crosses economic status, political status, demographics of every kind,” said Walker.
The bills make sure ‘schedule 5 medications’ have to be prescribed, provide more addiction education for medical professionals, and allow for an expansion of HOPE centers that focus on addiction treatment.
Representative John Nygren attended the event and says he believes Wisconsin’s success in combating opioid addiction is because of its multi-pronged approach.
“It’s the governor’s office, the attorney general, it’s the lieutenant governor, it’s the medical profession, law enforcement as a whole, education,” Nygren explained.
The HOPE Agenda was introduced by Representative John Nygren back in 2013.
HOPE stands for heroin, opiate, prevention, and education.
The governor signs a total of 11 HOPE Agenda bills Monday as he travels around the state.
