IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Nearly every U.S. governor, including Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, has signed a pledge to combat the addiction to painkillers and heroin that is leaving a trail of overdose deaths in their states.
The National Governors Association said Wednesday that at least 45 governors signed a compact designed to coordinate their response to the opioid crisis.
The compact calls on governors to encourage the responsible dispensing of prescription pain medications, to raise awareness about the crisis and to encourage treatment and recovery for those already addicted.
Roughly 78 Americans die from opioid overdoses every day, a death rate that has nearly quadrupled since 1999.
The compact’s release comes ahead of the association’s summer meeting, which begins Thursday in Des Moines. Governors are expected to hear from experts about the opioid crisis during meetings Friday.