The Kentucky House version of heroin legislation has cleared its first hurdle. The full House could vote on the measure this Friday.
Members of the Judiciary Committee heard reports from a Pew Charitable Trust rep on punishment versus treatment, as well as testimony from a judge, a healthcare representative, and a father whose son died of a heroin overdose. Almost two hours later, the amended bill emerged. Cheryl Etson is with the group 'Northern Kentucky Hates Heroin.' "These kids are just crying out for help and they don't know where go," said Etson. "They leave town because they want to get away from their drug dealers and the things that trigger them; friends, because all their friends are drug users."
Panel members heard testimony from Glen Loomis of a northern Kentucky physicians group. Loomis says there's much heartbreak found in neo-natal units with heroin addicted babies. "If you've never been in a hospital with a neo-natal unit and gone by and hear the screams, the blood curdling screams of a baby who's addicted to heroin. It's like nothing else that you've ever heard," said Loomis.
The House bill includes a needle exchange provision. Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy Director Van Ingram says that version requires local authorization. "This particular bill would require the local board of health as well as a governing body, a city council or a fiscal court, to approve it. So, there are safeguards. It would only be used in communities that really want it," said Van Ingram.
The Senate has already acted on heroin legislation. Bills from both chambers are expected to be placed in a conference committee in an effort to produce a compromise measure. ?
