RESOLUTION NO. _____, SERIES 2015
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A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASS LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS TREATMENT FOR HEROIN ADDICTION, EDUCATION, AND INCREASING PENALTIES FOR HEROIN TRAFFICKING (As Amended).
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Sponsored By: Council Members Parker, Aubrey Welch, Fowler, Owen, Shanklin, Green, James, Butler, Johnson, Downard, Engel, Leet, Peden, Stuckel, Yates, Hollander, Flood, Woolridge, Bryant Hamilton, Blackwell, Benson, Denton, Magre, Kramer, Ackerson and President Tandy
WHEREAS, heroin is an addictive and often lethal narcotic derived from morphine, known on the street as Black Tar, Big H. Dog, Horse, and Puppy Chow, that can be injected, smoked, or snorted; and
WHEREAS, the use of, addiction to, and deaths occurring by heroin overdose have dramatically increased in Kentucky in recent years due to a population of drug users who have switched to Heroin as the drug of choice as OxyContin and Opana have become more expensive and harder to obtain; and
WHEREAS, most recent data collected and published by the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy reveals that autopsied overdose deaths, show an increase from 146 deaths in 2012 to 230 deaths in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County had the most overdose deaths from heroin of any county with 105 heroin deaths, as part of the cumulative 191 total drug overdose deaths occurring in Jefferson County in 2013.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (THE COUNCIL) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Encourage the Kentucky General Assembly to pass legislation that would increase funding for substance abuse and rehabilitation programs in county jails and at community mental health centers. and community based providers.
SECTION 2: Encourage the Kentucky General Assembly to pass legislation that would increase access to and availability of life-saving drugs such as Naloxone that reverse the effects of an overdose.
SECTION 3: Encourage the Kentucky General Assembly to grant immunity from legal liabilities when a person acts as a "Good Samaritan" by seeking medical treatment for an overdose victim.
SECTION 4: Encourage the Kentucky General Assembly to pass legislation to increase penalties for high-volume heroin traffickers and encourage cooperation with law enforcement during traffic stops and searches.
SECTION 5: Encourage the Kentucky General Assembly to pass legislation to prohibit discrimination against pregnant women and mothers who seek treatment for heroin addiction by providing easier access to treatment and a "Safe Harbor" for their parental rights.
SECTION II5: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
_______________________________ H. Stephen Ott Metro Council Clerk |
_____________________________ David Tandy President of the Council |
_______________________________ Greg Fischer Mayor |
_____________________________ Approval Date |
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O'Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ____________________________
Heroin Addict.,Ed.,Treatmt.,Penalties legis.by Ky.Gen'l.Assmbly ROC bkn Draft 1 012915
Heroin Addict.,Ed.,Treatmt.,Penalties legis.by Ky.Gen'l.Assmbly rev.by LC; ROC bkn Draft 2 020215
Heroin Addict.,Ed.,Treatmt.,Penalties legis.by Ky.Gen'l.Assmbly rev.by LC; R-021-15 ROC bkn Draft 3 021915