The New Scourge: A Conversation on Opioid Abuse in Texas

Opioid abuse is a crisis in many of our communities and state lawmakers are figuring out how best to address it. Outgoing House Speaker Joe Straus appointed a select committee of the Texas House to study the problem and potential solutions ahead of the 2019 legislative session. How should the Legislature address this critical health care issue? What medical advances are on the horizon? How do we deal with the scourge from a criminal justice standpoint?The Texas Tribune — in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas — is pleased to present a three-part series of conversations on where the state is headed on health care. Join us in person or on our livestream for 2018's second installment of this series — a wide-ranging discussion of the many impacts of the opioid crisis on our state and nation, and the public policy solutions in the works to address them.Our panelists are:State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston; member of the House Public Health Committee and the House Select Committee on Opioids and Substance AbuseState Rep. J.D. Sheffield, R-Gatesville; vice chair of the House Public Health Committee and member of the House Select Committee on Opioids and Substance AbuseStephanie Jones, assistant professor of anesthesiology and pain management at UT Southwestern Medical CenterMarissa Evans, health and human services reporter for The Texas Tribune, will moderate this event.