NEW: Hodgson Calls for Action from AG on Overdose Epidemic

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

GoLocalProv Politics Team

State Senator Dawson Hodgson, Republican candidate for Attorney General, has called for the use of Google settlement funds to address Rhode Island’s ongoing heroin overdose epidemic which has claimed at least 75 lives in Rhode Island this year.

“Leadership means showing an urgency to address this situation.” said Senator Hodgson, “In a resource starved governing environment, the Attorney General is in a unique position to show decisive leadership here. Instead he just sits on the sidelines. When I am elected, I will work with the Department of Health to protect the safety of all Rhode Islanders, and put these public resources to the use they are intended, to save lives. There is no excuse for this delay."

Senator Hodgson first proposed taking action on the overdose epidemic on February 25th, when his campaign released an Action Plan for utilizing Google settlement funds held by the Department of Attorney General to address immediate and longstanding safety and justice issues facing Rhode Island.

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The funds, approximately $60 Million in total, were a windfall granted to the Rhode Island Attorney General in 2012 as a result of United States Attorney Peter Nehrona's successful prosecution of Google for advertising of illegal prescription drugs online.

"The Justice Department distributes resources like this to law enforcement organizations in order to meet pressing justice and safety needs of their jurisdiction" said Senator Hodgson. "Rhode Island has longstanding and neglected needs in this area. It is important to have a plan in place to put these resources to use in an effective, timely, transparent, and responsible way. The framework I have assembled and will implement when I am elected Attorney General will make a strong and immediate impact on justice and safety for Rhode Island."