Budget, opioid crisis connected

Kentucky has never seen an addiction crisis like we currently have with opioid use. And we have never seen a budget crisis like we have now. Both crises present an opportunity for positive change.

Solutions to the addiction and budget woes are actually very connected. Unfortunately, many of our leaders haven’t had the vision and courage to connect the dots.

Our state needs to be committed to providing a quality education to all. We must be a state that attracts and keeps the best teachers. We must have accessible and affordable treatment for those struggling with addiction, and the related mental and physical health issues.

We must have social services that help our most vulnerable children in families with addiction. And, yes, we must have meaningful work and service opportunities for all — including those leaving incarceration and treatment.

Adequately funding education and teachers’ pensions and revamping our tax structure are important strategies to address the addiction crisis. For many of Kentucky’s children, teachers are the key adults who help them escape the intergenerational cycle of addiction. Our state’s leaders can make decisions in this legislative session that will make a lasting difference. Let’s hope that they connect the dots.

This story was originally published January 30, 2018 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Budget, opioid crisis connected."