Nevada's Interim Finance Committee on Oct. 19 approved the use of more than $1 million to launch an initiative designed to reduce opioid overdoses in the state.
The new initiative will allot $500,000 to after-school prevention and education programs, $250,000 to local law enforcement agencies and first responders for the purchase of the opioid overdose antidote Naloxone, and $675,000 to statewide opioid overdose prevention and education efforts.
"On average, one Nevadan dies per day from drug overdose, and opioid-related overdoses have become the lead cause of death in America," said Adam Paul Laxalt, the state's attorney general. "I am grateful to our Legislature for their support of this critical issue facing our State and nation, and am hopeful that these efforts will make a much-needed difference in our communities.
More articles on opioids:
Gov. John Kasich says Ohio might include drug distributors in opioid lawsuit after '60 Minutes' report
Massachusetts opioid prescriptions drop 28% in last 3 years
60+ Wisconsin counties expected to participate in opioid epidemic lawsuit