Charleston, WV (Wowk) – One topic that West Virginia is still plaguing is drug addiction, and this legislative period, one of the Senate’s Senate’s committees, is aimed at novel opportunities to combat the problem.
“We have tried everything over the years. We threw money on it. We threw programs on it. We deregulated it. We have regulated it, “said Senator Eric Tarr (R-Putnam).
TAR, a member of the selection committee for drug abuse and mental health, proposed a legislative template that makes opioid treatment programs illegal.
“It is said that it is prohibited by opioid treatment centers, but opioid treatment centers are defined as an independent methadone clinic in the invoice,” said the senator. If methadone is prescribed, someone who has wrap-around services for you will become you. “
Several Republican senators also support a legislative template that would boost the penalties for drug ownership.
“I think West Virginia is a victim of the addiction crisis more than someone who says that he is addicted and is a victim,” said Tarr. “At this point we know what is addiction. We know how to get there. There are some accountability for decisions required by each individual that brings this market in West Virginia.”
Kenny Matthews with the American Friends Service Committee believes that an increasing punishment for drug possession will not deter any drug crimes.
“When I was in my active use and my criminal behavior, I didn’t care what was going on up here,” said Matthews. “I didn’t follow when they increased the punishments for something. No! We don’t. They are worried about their illness and feel better so that they can go all day long. “
Matthews says that money that is used to keep someone in prison should instead invest in drug abuse programs that concentrate on rehabilitation.
“Why don’t we tend to do so? We should try to help someone instead of imprisoning them, “said Matthews.” It’s just a bad policy. It will always be. “
The Senate selection committee for drug abuse and mental health met on Tuesday to discuss several legislative templates, but the legislators did not agree that the invoices on the table treat the problem properly.
