State Rep. Joanne Osborne (R-13), chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, has been appointed to serve as an opioid policy fellow through a year-long program established with the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The bipartisan NCSL Opioid Policy Fellows program is designed to support legislators who are experienced or emerging leaders on opioid addiction and overdose issues, according to a release.

Fellows work together in a peer setting to build knowledge about new research, policy and innovations, and to exchange ideas and solutions with other legislative leaders related to opioid misuse and overdose. Fellows connect with leading researchers and policy experts to identify practical information and develop action steps that can be applied in each state.

“Dangerous opioids are often all too accessible in our communities and in some households,” the Goodyear Republican said in a prepared statement. “This contributes to the prevalent abuse and it can affect anyone, especially children and people battling issues with behavioral health or addiction.” 

“In our state alone, there have been more than 66,000 suspected overdoses and more than 9,100 deaths over the past four years.  Arizona is a leader in the fight against opioid abuse, implementing strong measures, but we cannot let up,” Rep. Osborne said. “I am confident that there is much more that can be done to reduce these tragic cases — and we must. As a state representative, as a mother, and as an opioid policy fellow, I am absolutely determined with finding effective strategies to reduce addiction, prevent overdoses and deaths, and to raise more awareness about this devastating epidemic impacting our families and communities.”

Rep. Osborne’s district covers Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Wellton, Wickenburg and parts of Yuma.

NCSL’s mission is to advance the effectiveness, independence and integrity of state legislatures, and to foster interstate cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information among them.

The 2021 NCSL Opioid Policy Fellows program features an impressive bipartisan roster of 25 legislators representing a cross-section of states in order to draw upon a breadth of experience and knowledge, the release stated.