Communities big and small need a plan to combat addiction, Heitkamp says

HAZEN, N.D. — Communities of all sizes need to have integrated plans in place for combating addiction if they want a chance at receiving federal dollars aimed at the opioid epidemic, U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp told community members at a forum on Feb. 20.

The North Dakota Democrat had held six prior events to discuss opioid addiction across the state, but the Hazen event was the first to focus on the unique needs and problems for rural communities.

"We've got to address this as a public health crisis," Heitkamp said. "A lot of people think it's not in our community, that it's a big city problem ... I'm telling you, this is a problem every place in North Dakota."

Community leaders, law enforcement officials, attorneys, health care officials, school leaders and others from Hazen and surrounding communities attended and shared their views, problems and successes at the event at Hazen City Hall.

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