Lawmakers clash over bill targeting Georgia’s opioid epidemic
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.
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.
