ATLANTA – State Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) is one of only 25 legislators from across the country who was recently selected to participate in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) inaugural Opioid Policy Fellows Program for 2018. This program is designed to support state legislators who are leaders on opioid addiction and overdose issues.
“The NCSL Opioid Fellows Program provides a tremendous opportunity to work alongside lawmakers who are passionate about eradicating the opioid epidemic, and I’m honored to have been selected by NCSL,” said Rep. Cooper. “The opioid epidemic is a Nationwide Public Health Emergency, and opioid overdoses cause tens of thousands of deaths across the country every year. Therefore, it is crucial that we reach across state lines and connect with leaders who are combatting this crisis through innovative programs and practical policy changes. I look forward to participating in this program and exploring legislative solutions to this devastating epidemic.”
The program will focus on ways state legislatures are addressing opioid addiction and overdose through health policies and programs, as well as opioid-related research, evidence, cost-saving tactics and other relevant topics. The program will also address the relationship between opioid addiction and human services and criminal justice issues.
Throughout 2018, the inaugural NCSL Opioid Policy Fellows Program class will take part in virtual seminars and in-person meetings, network with researchers, policy experts and legislative leaders, develop individual action plans on opioid policy issues and receive support from NCSL staff members.
The yearlong program is open to health-related committee chairs in state legislatures, and fellows are chosen through a competitive application process.
For more information on the NCSL Opioid Policy Fellows Program, please click here.
Representative Sharon Cooper represents the citizens of District 43, which includes portions of Cobb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1996, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Health & Human Services Committee. She also serves on the Judiciary Non- Civil, Regulated Industries, and Rules committees.
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