Legislative Advocacy: Nurses Influencing State Policy

"I have developed close relationships with several legislators on the taskforce and with others who have constituent interest in the opioid issue to move these bills forward."

Cynthia Stone, DrPH, RN
Professor, Indiana University
Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health

One example of advocacy work is through my involvement in the Indiana Attorney General's taskforce to prevent prescription overdose deaths. This is a multi-sector volunteer group that works to pass legislation about access to Naloxone for first responders as well as family and friends. We have also been successful with passage of legislation to expand the prescription drug monitoring system and increased access to continuing education for prescribers and treatment facilities. 

One to three times each session, we prioritized bills to which we will dedicate resources to advance. That in addition to close relationships I've developed with several legislators on the taskforce and with others who have constituent interest in the opioid issue contribute to moving these bills forward. The involvement of graduate students is another important strategy. Students have provided support to the taskforce, testimony at the state house and policy development for the American Public Health Association.