As the Kentucky General Assembly gears up for a
shortened session and to tackle heroin legislation, many anti-heroin
activists say proposed bills don't go far enough.
One of the leading bills proposed to combat Kentucky's heroin
epidemic gives an addict a better chance at receiving treatment if he is
arrested than if he tries to check into a rehab clinic.
Another
of the multiple proposals is expected to include a provision that would
allow needle exchanges, an approach favored by public health officials
trying to ward off the spread of hepatitis or HIV, but abhorred by
conservatives not willing to appear soft on crime.
A third ups the
criminal penalties for dealing heroin and other opiates without
increasing any funding for treatment for addicts.
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Labels: Harm Reduction, heroin, Kentucky, Transmission and Prevention