Hassan declines Gatsas’ plea for ‘state of emergency’ as heroin toll escalates
Mayor Ted Gatsas on Wednesday urged Gov. Maggie Hassan to declare a state of emergency to bring more resources to the city to address the rising toll of heroin.
MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Ted Gatsas on Wednesday urged Gov. Maggie Hassan to declare a state of emergency to bring more resources to the city to address the rising toll of heroin, according to a WMUR report.
The governor declined the request, saying she is focused on resources that would aid law enforcement. A state of emergency would not help bring new ‘powers or resources.’
Gatsas included in his letter current statistics for the city, including
- 119 overdose calls in 2016
- 20 of those were deaths
- 77 of those people were treated with Narcan
- 11 people suffering from OD were found in hotels, public buildings and restaurants. Four were found behind the wheel of a motor vehicle
- One person had to be retreated five times in last two months
“We have got to do something. We got to stand up and take a position so people say, ‘I don’t think we want to go to New Hampshire,’” Gatsas told WMUR reporter Amy Coveno.
“I appreciate the mayor’s renewed interest in it, but his suggestion doesn’t give law enforcement any new powers or resources. And that’s what I am focused on,” said Hassan.
You can see the full report here.
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