The Union Leader reports today that Governor Maggie Hassan has declined to declare a public health state of emergency as it relates to the ongoing heroin epidemic. Manchester Mayor Ted Gastas made the request after the latest statistics from first responders show 20 deaths and 123 overdose-related calls so far this year in Manchester.
Earlier this week, WMUR reported that the heroin epidemic in New Hampshire is only getting worse.
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Gatsas, Hassan again clash over drug emergency declaration
The Union Leader
MANCHESTER — For the second time in seven months, Gov. Maggie Hassan has declined a request by Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas to declare a public health state of emergency in response to the opioid epidemic in the Queen City and across New Hampshire.
Gatsas sent the request to Hassan Wednesday morning following a discussion with city aldermen over the latest statistics from Manchester first responders showing 123 overdose-related calls for service and 20 fatalities in the first two months of 2016.
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A declaration of a state of emergency by the governor would trigger the Department of Health and Human Services public health powers under RSA 21-P:53 or any other applicable statute to investigate, isolate or quarantine and require the destruction of the commodity in question — in this case, heroin.
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“Every day people are dying,” said Gatsas. “If that isn’t a state of emergency, I don’t know what is. The Legislature can’t declare one. Only the governor can do that.”
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Gatsas made a similar request for an emergency declaration in August, which Hassan also declined.
Statistics released Tuesday by Manchester fire officials show 20 fatal overdoses in the Queen City in the first two months of 2016, compared to 11 at this time a year ago. The youngest fatal overdose victim was 23, the oldest 57.
Of the 123 suspected opioid-related calls for service this year, the youngest overdose victim in Manchester is 15, the oldest 89. City first responders say 80 overdose patients were treated with Narcan.
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