Arizona senator pushing addiction bill

PHOENIX — A state lawmaker is looking to help his constituents who need help fighting addiction.

“We’ve been working on this for a couple of years, run into some roadblocks, but we will continue to move forward,” said State Sen. Jack Jackson, Jr., D-Window Rock.

Jackson is the primary sponsor of State Bill 1273, which calls for a five-year pilot program to help those struggling with addiction.

Using luxury tax monies collected in Apache, Navajo and Coconino counties, the current court-ordered drug program would be expanded.

Jackson said there was some opposition because of the funding mechanism. He also said the bill was not heard by the Appropriations Committee, however, he is committed to his constituants to make this happen.