Politics
Politics

Lawmakers clash over bill targeting Georgia’s opioid epidemic

Oxycodone is a prescription painkiller that often leads to addiction. Lawmakers are trying to curb pill-seeking patients and pill mill doctors. Bob Andres bandres@ajc.com
Oxycodone is a prescription painkiller that often leads to addiction. Lawmakers are trying to curb pill-seeking patients and pill mill doctors. Bob Andres bandres@ajc.com
By
Feb 10, 2017

Georgia’s opioid epidemic is claiming lives. And lawmakers trying to grapple with it are clashing.

One proposal that just drew controversy and the narrowest of votes this week would create a new crime for doctors. Doctors in the Legislature say that's not needed.

» IN-DEPTH: Georgia’s opioid crisis

» EXCLUSIVE: Heroin's trail of death

Senate Bill 81, aimed at pill mills and drug-seeking patients, would make it a crime for a doctor to deliberately ignore information on whether his patient was getting too many opiate prescriptions.

» GUIDE: AJC Georgia Legislative Navigator

Doctors said such doctors should be handled first by the medical board, not police.

ExploreRead the full story here.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will again have Georgia’s largest team covering the Legislature. Get complete daily coverage during the legislative session at myAJC.com/georgialegislature.

About the Author

Ariel Hart is a reporter on health care issues. She works on the AJC’s health team and has reported on subjects including the Voting Rights Act and transportation.

More Stories

Keep Reading

State Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Democrat who grew up in east Cobb, is expected to launch his campaign for Lieutenant governor in Savannah on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Hyosub Shin / AJC file photo)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Democratic state senator launches bid for Georgia lieutenant governor in Savannah

Democratic Sen. Josh McLaurin is the first politician to launch his 2026 campaign for lieutenant governor. Current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is expected to run for governor.

Democrats must flip House, ‘seize Trump’s power,’ Warnock says

At a South Atlanta town hall that lasted more than two hours, U.S. senator condemns Trump administration, calling its first 100 days ‘unabashed corruption’

LISTEN

AJC poll: Kemp vs. Ossoff in 2026 dead heat

The "Politically Georgia" hosts discuss the 2026 Senate race.

The Latest

The House Chambers is full of lawmakers and judges as Gov. Brian Kemp delivers the state of the state address in the House of Representatives at the Georgia Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Georgia bill tracker: What will Gov. Brian Kemp sign

Kemp hopes to partner with Trump to avoid messy GOP battle for Georgia Senate seat

Kemp signs bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender inmates

Featured

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., speaks at the Johnny Mercer Theatre Civic Center, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Credit: AP

‘MAGA warrior’ Buddy Carter jumps into Georgia Senate race against Ossoff

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter launches Georgia Senate bid to unseat Jon Ossoff

$110M Ponzi scheme investors lose appeals against Oppenheimer

Retirees who invested their life savings in a Marietta man’s $110 million Ponzi scheme have lost their lawsuits against his former employer, Oppenheimer.

Dalton college student joins father in ICE detention after traffic stop

The back-to-back arrests of the Dalton father and daughter illustrate the risks of getting behind the wheel for immigrants living in the country without legal status.