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Sen. Murray: Treat the opioid crisis like a public health problem

caption: Senator Patty Murray in the KUOW offices, Jan. 2016.
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Senator Patty Murray in the KUOW offices, Jan. 2016.
KUOW Photo/Gil Aegerter

Kim Malcolm talks with U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) about a bill she's co-sponsoring that aims to combat the opioid epidemic in the United States.

Murray said the bill would increase access to mental health services and to treatment programs in underserved areas.

She also said the bill would encourage the development of non-addictive painkillers and step up efforts to detect and seize drugs like fentanyl.

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