Today, WMUR reports that the heroin epidemic in New Hampshire is only getting worse. Yesterday, the Mayor of New Hampshire’s largest city and the epicenter of crisis questioned why a new drug czar hasn’t been named. Both local leaders and first responders are calling for more to be done at the state level to combat the crisis.
WATCH:
[youtube url = "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs7pv42b9bE&feature=youtu.be"]
TRANSCRIPT:
ANCHOR: “The month of February set a disturbing record in Manchester.”
ANCHOR: “It was the worst month on record for the number of suspected overdose deaths. American Medical Response says that it responded to 60 overdoses in the Queen City last month, 14 of them were deadly. Ray Brewer joins us live in Manchester right now and Ray, the Mayor is criticizing the state’s response to this ongoing crisis, right?”
REPORTER: “And the Governor in particular. The Mayor saying that Governor Maggie Hassan is not doing enough to deal with this epidemic. In particular he’s frustrated with the Governor not appointing a new drug czar just yet.”
VOICE OVER: “A troubling record was set in Manchester for the month of February. There have been 14 suspected opioid related deaths, two more than the previous one month record of 12 that was set in March of last year. American Medical Response says the addiction crisis is getting worse.”
AMR REGIONAL DIRECTOR: “I’ve been doing this my whole life. I’ve never seen it like this before.”
VOICE OVER: “On Monday, Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas called out the Governor for not filling the drug czar position. The state’s former drug czar left his role earlier this month and while on the job he faced criticism over his job performance. Gatsas, who is considering a run for Governor, says more leadership is needed in the State House.”
MAYOR TED GATSAS: “We need to start telling people that if you are caught dealing in the state of New Hampshire you will be arrested for attempted murder. We need to make that loud and clear for people, that’s what’s going to slow it down.”
REPORTER: “A spokesperson for Governor Hassan says she signed two bills last month to combat the crisis and there are several other measures before the legislature. In a statement, her office says, ‘If Mayor Gatsas would like to be a constructive part of the process, we would welcome his advocacy, which we have yet to see on the public policy steps that would actually help stem the tide of this epidemic.’ Manchester Alderman and State Representative Pat Long says Hassan is looking for someone who will work with both parties.”
STATE REP. PAT LONG: “Personally I think the Governor has stepped up to the plate bipartisanly to effect some change.”
REPORTER: “Meanwhile, AMR says a comprehensive solution is needed from lawmakers.”
AMR REGIONAL DIRECTOR: “We need people to put boots on the ground, to get their heads together, and to keep working at this as hard as they can – even harder than they have been because what we’re doing right now is not working.”
REPORTER: “Last fall the WMUR Granite State Poll found that 25 percent of Granite Staters considered drug abuse the number one problem facing New Hampshire. We’ll see if those numbers remain the same when a new poll is released later today.”