Nebraska takes steps to further decrease opioid addiction

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts has signed into law a bill that gives Nebraska a proactive approach to the nationwide opioid epidemic.

Ricketts said Wednesday the new law will ban minors from receiving more than a seven-day opioid supply, require doctors to talk with patients about the risk of addiction and require photo identification to pick up prescriptions.

Ricketts says lawmakers’ proactive approach has led to a decrease in the number of opioid-related deaths. Nebraska is the first state to require that all drugs are reported to a prescription drug monitoring program. The state also created a comprehensive plan to teach doctors about opioid alternatives.

Lawmakers say they will continue to address opioids by pushing for increased education for prescribers and a more reliable way to collect death statistics.