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Phil Picardi

Minnesota Representative works on two bills to address opioid epidemic

Rep. Dave Baker lost his son to opioid overdose.
Republican Rep. Dave Baker lost his 25-year-old son to opioid overdose. The athlete's back injury led to pain pills and ended with heroin. Baker, elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2014, in his office on June 1, 2015, has led efforts to expand programs that prevent opioid overdose deaths.
Jeffrey Thompson | MPR News

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Minnesota lawmakers are considering two bills this legislative session to address the opioid epidemic which killed nearly 400 Minnesotans in 2016.

State Representative Dave Baker (R-Willmar) introduced a bill with his Democratic colleague that aims to curb the availability of prescription opioids. That gets its first hearing in the House today.

Baker also proposed a penny-a-pill tax on prescription drug companies to raise funds to address opioid addiction. MPR's Phil Picardi spoke with Baker about his push to address opioid overdoses.

Click audio player to hear interview