In rare show of unity, governors vow to fight opioid crisis

"A crisis of this magnitude requires a coordinated and comprehensive response across states and all levels of government, as well as the private sector, to support law enforcement and strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery," she said in a statement.

The compact calls on governors to update prescribing guidelines to possibly include opioid limits for some patients, require medical personnel to receive continuing education on pain management, and improve monitoring of opioid prescribers.

The governors also pledged to promote alternatives to opioids and ease access to addiction treatment and recovery services in state health care programs such as Medicaid.

[...] recently, many policymakers believed the epidemic was fueled by drug abusers and that limiting prescriptions would hurt legitimate pain patients, Kolodny said.