COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A budget proposal by Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sihk) would require thousands of pharmacy technicians to be registered by the state as part of efforts to fight Ohio’s addictions epidemic.

The Ohio Pharmacy Board says pharmacy technicians were responsible for a third of pharmacy drug thefts over the past three years.

The state estimates about 42,000 pharmacy technicians currently work in Ohio and are subject only to employer background checks.

Kasich, a Republican running for president, announced several budget proposals Tuesday to reduce record numbers of overdose deaths from painkillers and heroin.

Other measures would allow more methadone clinics, limit the length of painkiller prescriptions and permit the pharmacy board to license sole medical practitioners.