Some Ohio lawmakers are pushing five different pieces of legislation they say will deal with the state’s opioid abuse problem in a comprehensive way.
One bipartisan bill would increase penalties for drug traffickers and put a three-day limit on new opioid prescriptions.
State Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) says one part would give grants to businesses that provide job opportunities for recently incarcerated Ohioans.
"These grants would augment the payroll and benefit costs associated with hiring released offenders. It would also provide housing for ex-offenders who take such jobs," Holmes says.
The sponsors say they have put these initiatives forward in five separate bills to make it easier to get some of the plan put in place as soon as possible, rather than waiting for agreement on one large comprehensive bill.
