CONTACT: Rep. Patrick Snyder (608) 266-0654

MADISON… Today, State Representatives Patrick Snyder (Schofield) and John Nygren (Marinette) introduced a proposal that will provide additional tools to law enforcement as they work to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic. Rep. Snyder released the following statement after the introduction of the proposal:

“It has been an honor working with Rep. Nygren on an issue that he has championed over the past several years,” said Snyder. “Our law enforcement continues to be on the front lines of this battle. It is important we as a state give them the additional resources they need to stop this epidemic.”

The proposal funds two full-time drug prosecutors to assist northern Wisconsin District Attorneys. The two attorneys will assist the Division of Criminal Investigation in the field offices of Wausau and Appleton.

“Central Wisconsin is not immune to the epidemic that is taking the lives of hundreds of Wisconsinites every year,” said Snyder. “The additional Wausau prosecutor will help take on the overwhelming amount of drug related offenses and be a resource to our local District Attorney office.”

Additionally, the proposal will provide more funding to expand the family drug treatment court program available to parents whose children have been removed from their homes and placed into the child welfare system.

“Through my work leading the bipartisan Speaker’s Task Force on Foster Care, it is evident that the drug-addiction epidemic is the driving increase in the number of children being removed from their homes and placed into the foster care system,” said Snyder. “The Milwaukee County Family Drug Treatment Court has been recognized nationally for its success in handling these types of cases. These additional dollars will help more counties in need implement this service within their communities.”

Snyder’s bill, LRB 5264 was introduced as part of the continuing efforts of the Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Agenda. Since 2013, 28 bipartisan bills have been approved by both houses of the State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor.

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