Assembly passes 4 bills to curb heroin abuse

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The state Assembly unanimously passed four bills Tuesday that seek to curb heroin abuse.

The bills, sponsored by Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, were met with praise from Republicans and Democrats during discussion Tuesday.

If passed into law, the four bills would:

• Give individuals who call 911 to report an overdose immunity from prosecution for possession of a small amount of heroin or drug paraphernalia.
• Give training – and immunity – to emergency responders who provide the anti-opiate naloxone, which is more commonly known by the trademark Narcan. It also would grant immunity to Good Samaritans who administer the drug.
• Require a patient to present identification to obtain prescriptions containing narcotics.
• Allow municipalities to hold prescription drug drives.

The bills now head to the state Senate for possible approval. If passed, they will head to Gov. Scott Walker for approval.

The bill package, legislators have said, is not designed to guarantee immunity in more serious drug cases. Instead, they said, it is designed to encourage the reporting of overdoses so an addict can be treated.

Many comments made Tuesday by representatives didn’t focus on the specifics of the bills, but rather the heroin problems that they saw in their respective districts.

“In the context of this debate, heroin also leads to extensive criminality,” Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, said. “The felony counts are going up around the state.”

Rep. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, said the bill concerning Narcan is the most important one in the package.

“I know that first responders … take it very, very seriously and are going to be excited to show they have a role to play in offering … compassionate care and lifesaving techniques,” she said.

Nygren, whose daughter Cassie is a heroin addict, reiterated Tuesday that he intends to work on and support further legislation to battle heroin abuse in Wisconsin. He thanked his fellow representatives for their support since the bills were introduced in October.

“The respect and the support I’ve gotten from my colleagues has been fantastic,” Nygren said. Follow @eheisigWLJ