Received this e-mail today from former NAACP chairman Ben Jealous’ (D. MD) gubernatorial campaign:
Ben Jealous (D. MD) Not good enough. Yesterday, years after he promised to confront the opioid epidemic, months after I laid out comprehensive solutions to the public health crisis, and after the deaths of thousands of Marylanders, Governor Hogan finally released some ideas for how to combat this emergency. It comes too little, too late for the thousands of Marylanders who continue to be ravaged by the relentless and unforgiving opioid epidemic. They need help now, they needed it before yesterday, and when I’m Governor they’ll get it immediately. The truth is, inaction at the federal level by this reckless administration and at the state level by the Hogan Administration has been as costly as the drugs themselves. We need to act. That’s why I called on Governor Hogan to fast track my bold, comprehensive, and proven plan immediately. Will you add your name and show your support for ending Maryland’s opioid crisis? Our State’s crisis knows no bounds. Among those affected is your neighbor, your friend, your boss, her son, his wife - the fact is, no community or person in our state is immune to addiction. You can bet your bottom dollar that Big Pharma banked on that, and continues to profit from our collective pain. No more. The Federal Government can shut down, our Governor can come late to the party on this critical issue, but I’ve been up for this challenge since before I decided to run for Governor. “Enough is Enough” is my plan to end this crisis and it’s based on proven, common-sense techniques. Fast-tracking it would mean an immediate $2 million to provide additional doses of Naloxone and funding to expand 24/7 crisis centers. These centers are critical in helping to stem deaths from the opioid epidemic, which has particularly ravaged Baltimore City as local officials have had to ration life-saving drugs. Will you join me in this critical fight to end Maryland’s opioid crisis? Add your name >> Onward, Ben↧