Drug Czar to resign

On Friday, January 15 New Hampshire’s “drug czar” Jack Wozmak said he will resign from the position. 

Since taking the job a year ago, Wozmak has faced criticism for failing to reach out to local officials and members of the medical community.

Wozmak did not cite that criticism as a reason for stepping down. 

Standing beside him for his resignation announcement, Gov. Maggie Hassan praised Wozmak for twenty-two recommendations he released last summer, some of which are now included in 2016 bills.

“Among other notable accomplishments, he brought a nationally recognized provider training program to New Hampshire to help prevent the overprescribing of opioids and he has encouraged providers to expand treatment services in New Hampshire,” Hassan said in a statement. “He has also worked closely with pharmacies to increase access to Narcan and our schools to strengthen youth prevention and education efforts.” 

Critics have a different takeaway from Wozmak’s year of work.

“Jack Wozmak’s tenure as Governor Maggie Hassan’s drug czar was marked by a troubling pattern of ineptitude and ineffectiveness,” said New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Horn.  “Under Governor Hassan’s leadership, Mr. Wozmak refused to work with local officials and repeatedly failed to reach out to the physicians and members of New Hampshire’s law enforcement community who are on the front lines of combating our state’s heroin epidemic.” 

What do you think about Wozmak’s year as drug czar?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.