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Raimondo unveils plan to combat opioid overdose deaths

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has introduced what she calls a comprehensive plan to combat drug overdose deaths in the state.

The Democrat held a conference Wednesday to unveil the action plan and call on the General Assembly to approve $4 million in the state budget to prevent overdoses and treat addiction.

State health officials say as many as 257 people died because of overdoses last year and 46 so far this year. They're particularly concerned about a rise in opioid overdoses caused by a mix of illicit drugs and fentanyl, a prescription painkiller.

Raimondo's plan includes stricter enforcement of prescription opioid regulations and expands the number of certified peer recovery specialists.

It also increases the use of anti-overdosing treatment naloxone and gets medication-assisted help for inmates while they're incarcerated.

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