TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on Gov. Chris Christie’s anti-opioid drug initiatives (all times local):
Noon
New Jersey’s attorney general says his office is drafting regulations requested by Gov. Chris Christie to limit the supply of painkillers doctors can prescribe for acute pain.
The rule would allow doctors to only initially prescribe a five-day supply of opioid drugs for acute pain, instead of a 30-day ration.
Attorney General Christopher Porrino said Wednesday that his office hopes to deliver the rules to the state’s office of administrative law within the next few weeks.
Health professionals and others would then have 30 days to comment before they go into effect.
Porrino says that he hopes that any potential objections or concerns from doctors can be dealt with, but that the state has the authority to make the change.
___
12:30 a.m.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie says he plans to end the stigma of drug addiction and help stem the tide of the drug crisis that is wracking New Jersey and the nation.
Christie’s emotional seventh state of the state address Tuesday focused almost entirely on the topic.
The governor shared the story of a drug and alcohol-addicted man who says he had planned to kill himself in 2014. AJ Solomon, of Cherry Hill, says he turned to prayer in his darkest hour and then embarked on a path to sobriety. The 26-year-old Solomon says he’s been sober for three years.
Christie says it’s important to show the human side of addiction.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.