Washington State Bill to Address Opioid Crisis for Native American Tribes

SOURCE www.foxnews.com
A bill in Washington state aims to address the opioid crisis by providing millions of dollars to Native American tribes. The bill received unanimous support in the House and Senate, but some tribes feel the funding is insufficient.

Key Points

  • Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Washington have opioid overdose rates five times the state average
  • The bill would allocate funds from a half-billion-dollar settlement with major opioid distributors
  • The state Senate and House unanimously approved the bill, showing strong bipartisan support

Pros

  • The bill aims to provide nearly $8 million annually to 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington state to combat the opioid crisis
  • It is supported by both Democratic and Republican legislators, showing bipartisan efforts to address the issue

Cons

  • Some tribes feel that the proposed funding is not enough to effectively combat the opioid crisis among Native American communities
  • There are concerns about the sustainability of funding beyond 2031 as the bill does not have a specific end date