Combating heroin use has quickly emerged as an overarching issue as Kentucky lawmakers convene at the Capitol to start their annual legislative session.
Gov. Steve Beshear and Attorney General Jack Conway on Tuesday announced a pilot program to provide heroin overdose reversal kits at hospitals with the state's highest rates of heroin-related deaths.
The two Democrats say the kits will be provided free of charge to every overdose victim being discharged from participating hospitals in Louisville, Lexington and northern Kentucky.
Meanwhile, state Senate President Robert Stivers says legislation aimed at curtailing heroin use will be put on a fast track in the Republican-led Senate.
Heroin overdose deaths have increased tenfold since 2011.
Lawmakers from both political parties say it is a priority to pass legislation this year combating heroin use.
