Hi there -- Opioids have devastated communities across our state and the country, which is why combating this epidemic has been one of my top priorities as Washington’s attorney general.
Opioid manufacturers have deceptively marketed their products and lied to doctors about the risks of addiction. Distributors have flooded Washington with pills and continually failed to report and suspend suspicious orders. Sales of opioids peaked in Washington in 2011 when more than 112 million daily doses were dispensed throughout the state. That’s enough for a 16-day supply for every woman, man, and child in Washington. As a result of their massive deception, countless Washingtonians have died.
I’ve held summits and led bipartisan coalitions of other AGs to address this crisis. I’ve sued one of the nation’s biggest opioid manufacturers and the largest distributors of opioids into Washington, and I’ll continue fighting to hold them accountable. I’ve led other attorneys general in recommending legislative fixes that have been signed into law. I proudly worked with Senator Maria Cantwell who helped lead the effort to pass the Opioid Crisis Response Act. But more needs to be done.
We need to provide effective treatment and support for those affected by this crisis and address the systemic failures that created this epidemic. This is a national problem that requires national solutions.
Thank you,
Bob
