Sen. Baldwin discusses opioid epidemic

LA CROSSE, Wis. (CBS 58) – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin sat down with La Crosse area health care and law enforcement officials to hear how the opioid epidemic has affected the community.

Despite a rise in drug abuse and overdoses, the leaders say they’re not seeing an increase in available resources.

President Trump signed off on the 2018 spending bill which adds an additional $3 billion nationwide to fight the opioid epidemic.

“I think the task is to make sure that we’re able to see that efficiently and promptly distributed,” said Sen. Baldwin – (D) Wisconsin.

Another issue that was discussed was the price of drug overdose reversal products like NARCAN. Buying NARCAN at the pharmacy can cost about $125, often putting it out of reach of those who need it most.