South Dakota officials hopeful state can fend off opioid crisis

South Dakota has many of the risk factors that could plunge it into an opioid crisis.

But physicians and law enforcement have pulled together tools that could prevent or mitigate an epidemic here, health and public safety officials said Wednesday.

More than 500 people met in Sioux Falls to discuss opioid addiction and efforts to reduce abuse and misuse of the drug in South Dakota. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors promised to crack down on people who traffic prescription opioids while also helping those addicted to the drugs find treatment.

Physicians meanwhile said they would work to reduce prescription of the painkillers across the board in favor of alternative treatment plans.

Read more: http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/politics/2017/10/18/south-dakota-officials-hopeful-state-can-fend-off-opioid-crisis/776449001/