The NKY Heroin Impact Response Team’s Legislative Priorities

1. Expand prevention and educational efforts to prevent the abuse of opioids and heroin and to promote treatment and recovery.
2. Expand the availability of naloxone to law enforcement agencies and other first responders.
3. Expand resources to identify and treat incarcerated individuals suffering from addiction disorders promptly by collaborating with criminal justice stakeholders and by providing evidence-based treatment.
4. Launch an evidence-based opioid and heroin treatment and interventions program to expand treatment best practices throughout the country.
5. Strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs to help states monitor and track prescription drug diversion.
6. Expand disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications.
7. Longer mandatory prison terms for predatory traffickers (not users supporting their substance use disorder).
8. Funding for peer support recovery programs.
9. “Means tested and vetted” repayment programs for those treated at governmental expense.
10. Mandatory Hepatitis C and HIV testing and counseling for all ER and arrests suspected of substance use disorders.
11. Language that recognizes substance use disorders as a disease.
12. Language that removes stigma associated with substance use disorders.
13. Funding/support services for pregnant women with substance use disorders.
14. Expanded access to Naloxone with Good Samaritan protection.
15. Medicaid payments for Medicated Assisted Therapy for those with opioid substance use disorders.
16. Allow for evidence based infection prevention services including education, case management and wrap around services.
17. Legislation that encourages increased surveillance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies across boundaries/borders.
18. Increased funding for evidence based prevention programs prenatal through college.
19. Increased funding for research on prevention of, treatment for, and recovery from substance use disorders.
20. Increase funding and support for building new detox, treatment and recovery centers.