• Kentucky Medicaid would be required to cover substance-abuse
treatment for heroin and other opiates, which the bill’s authors
believe would increase the number of treatment facilities and
openings in existing facilities.
• Drug traffickers could face
homicide charges and high-volume dealers, those caught with four
grams or more, would be required to serve at least 50 percent of
their sentence before parole or shock probation.
• Coroners and
medical examiners would have to notify local law enforcement agencies
of any overdose deaths caused by heroin and other Schedule I
narcotics, which are drugs that have no medical use.
•
Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, would be more available with a
doctor’s prescription. The drug, commonly used by paramedics, can
bring someone back to consciousness during an overdose.
•
People who call 911 to prevent an overdose death would have some
immunity to drug possession and drug paraphernalia charges. The
overdose patient would also receive some immunity if they agree to
attend a treatment program.
• Users who tell police they have
needles on them could avoid paraphernalia charges. Some police
officers have been accidentally pricked by needles, potentially
exposing them to HIV.
• Funding would be increased for Kentucky
Agency for Substance Abuse Policy to improve anti-drug education
campaigns.
