By BECKY NELSON
NEWBURY — Governor Chris Sununu focused on the opioid crisis, education and children’s welfare and introduced goals for the remainder of his term when speaking to approximately 100 attendees at a Monday luncheon address at the New Hampshire Association of Counties Conference held at Mount Sunapee Resort and hosted by Sullivan County.
Describing himself as “out and about” in the towns and cities around the state, “getting to know folks, find out their needs and not just throw money around…”, Sununu said he sees recurring themes plaguing communities including serious problems of mental health access and treatment and the opioid crisis that require change at the local programming level.
Planning to use funds earmarked from the federal government to address the challenges of drug addiction and treatment, Sununu said the planning stages are underway to open nine crisis/treatment “hubs” around the state, “rebuilding the treatment system.”
Sununu’s goal in opening the hubs is to require those seeking help and treatment not to have to travel more than 45 minutes. Most of the centers will be located in hospitals around the state, making it more efficient for emergency room personnel to guide those with drug addictions to the centers in-house where supports will include counseling, treatment, recovery, jobs, transitional housing, telemedicine and family counseling.
“The worst thing you can do is send someone out” after an overdose or drug-related medical incident, Sununu said.
Part of the system will include an emergency phone code of 211 that anyone seeking information or help can call with access to medical professionals. The project is slated to be built over the next two years, with $45 million in the New Hampshire coffers. Sununu said he is planning the project to become a community driven system, seeing access and services including those in county jails and state prisons.
Sununu also spoke about efforts to reform the Division of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and a focus on education. “We have been focusing on kids in a huge way, and it is going well,” he said.
He also spoke of higher education projects, citing public/private partnerships that are supporting nursing programs in both the university system and community colleges and the institution of a Governor’s Scholarship available to 1,000 students each year.
Sununu urged the commissioners and county personnel in attendance to have an open ear to constituents and raise any concerns or issues that come up with him, personally. “I am willing to take on any challenge to fix any issues that are a problem in the state and make sure everyone has a voice. It’s a team effort,” he said.
When questioned about school funding and the tax burdens on towns and cities around the state, Sununu stated his thought is that decisions should rest on the localities as to where their school tax dollars are spent and that cuts need to be made if the burden is too high.
He also stated that he would like School Building aid reinstated and that legislators should look at each school community on a case by case basis. “I feel the NH Legislature should have the power of the purse over funding. They are our voice as citizens…you have to get folks to town meetings. Your voice is more powerful with your selectmen in towns than in Concord,” he said.
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