Massachusetts Nurses Association says opioid bill proposal would overburden emergency departments

On the day testimony is being given at the State House on proposed legislation to curb the state's prescription drug abuse and heroin use epidemic, the Massachusetts Nurses Association has released a statement calling one of the proposals a "disservice" to the target population. The proposal would expand the state's involuntary commitment law to allow doctors to hospitalize drug addicts involuntarily for 72 hours without a court order if they pose a danger to themselves or others. "Our emergency departments are already overcrowded with patients suffering from mental health conditions due to the lack of beds and services in the system," said Donna Kelly-Williams, MNA president and registered nurse, in the release.