Senate Bill 174 aimed at combating heroin epidemic

Senate Bill 174 was introduced to the public on Wednesday in a press conference aimed at ending the state’s heroin epidemic.  

The bill’s lead sponsor, State Senator Bethany Hall-Long says the legislation would create a Drug Overdose Fatality Review Commission. It’s similar to what the state has to review domestic violence victims and child deaths.

Senator Hall-Long says the commission would work closely with the attorney general’s office, health and social services, and the community to examine the circumstances of deaths resulting from drug use.     

Senator Hall-Long continues, “The goal would be to take what we find out where the drugs are coming from and who the perpetrators are. Is it a prescribing drug? Is it a stolen med? Let’s take that data and work with the communities. Let’s work in our churches, work in or schools, and work in the grass roots.”