I am thankful that Minnesota lawmakers are serious about fighting the opioid epidemic. Their genuine commitment has been encouraging, but recent proposals to tax the distribution of all opioid containing products in our state is dangerously flawed.

All pain medications are not inherently bad and all patients needing access to these medications are not criminals. Many medical facilities across our state rely on opioid medication to provide critical patient care. People with chronic pain, cancer, or traumatic injuries often use these medications to ease pain so they’re able to walk, work, and live normal lives. They’re not addicted.

The proposed tax would be extremely damaging to these patients, as well as many other important facets of the healthcare sector. It could create major access problems and drive health care costs even higher than they are now.

Alternatives to this misguided strategy of taxation should be adopted instead. Specifically, lawmakers should consider targeting over prescription, promoting safe disposal and handling of opioids, and embracing non-opioid pain management alternatives. They should not be penalizing care providers or patients that truly need these important treatments.

Abdiaziz Hirsi

Bloomington, Minnesota