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Sen. Bewley, Van Zile On Opioid Task Force

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A member of the Forest County Potowatomi Community and a Northwoods State Senator have been named to a newly called Task Force to combat opioid abuse.

Governor Walker issued the Executive Order Tuesday.

Walker spokesperson Tom Evenson says the task force will work to gather data on the growing epidemic...

"...Gov. Walker, along with Rep. John Nygren from Marinette, have done a number of things most recently with the Hope agenda which outlines a number of issues and reforms we've taken to address this opioid epidemic...."

Evenson says the growth of the problem led to the task force...

"...in 2013, more Wisconsin citizens died as a result of drug overdoses than motor vehicle accidents. It's a serious issue that Gov. Walker wants to address and take seriously...."

State Senator Janet Bewley and Heather Van Zile from the Forest County Potowatomi Community were named to the 20 person task force, headed by Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.

The group's first meeting is Friday in Green Bay.

Evenson had no firm time line for the group to present its findings to the Governor.

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