State Rep. Jamie Thompson introduced legislation this week that promotes greater communication and collaboration within state government as it combats Michigan’s opioid crisis.

Thompson’s House Bill 5967 requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to share information with the state’s Opioid Advisory Commission when the commission is completing any annual commission reports. Currently, DHHS keeps records on numbers, trends, patterns and risk factors related to opioid-related overdose fatalities that occur in the state each year.

Thompson said that as multiple different arms of government and opioid-related panels work to address the problem, the focus should be on sharing information and developing solutions – not political posturing.

“Michigan lost nearly 3,000 people to overdoses in 2023. These are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, friends and loved ones people will never get back,” said Thompson, of Brownstown. “As we examine strategies, increase access to treatment, promote recovery and prevention options and raise awareness of what these drugs can do, it helps to have leaders in Lansing on the same page. This will allow the commission to access vital DHHS information and have a clearer picture as they make recommendations.”

The Opioid Advisory Commission is a nonpartisan group of 12 legislatively appointed members and have expertise in areas of substance use disorder treatment and overdose prevention, mental health care, recovery support, first responder work and other relevant areas. The commission advises lawmakers on how best to spend Michigan’s share of national opioid settlement funds, which will be paid out over 18 years with half going directly to counties, cities and townships and the rest being distributed by the state.

“Without collaboration, we’re not figuring out how to best use these resources and provide life-saving care,” Thompson said. “My plan ensures greater communication and data sharing to get results.”

Thompson serves on the House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee, the House Health Policy Committee and the House Health Policy Subcommittee on Behavioral Health.