All across America, but especially right here in my home of Eastern Kentucky, the prescription drug scourge is devastating our families and communities. In a time when so many want to get ahead, they are instead falling down the road of addiction.
Much contributes to the epidemic we are facing, and a lack of economic opportunity in rural America has sparked a drug crisis that has hindered the hardworking, talented people of Eastern Kentucky. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), almost 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on prescription opioids in 2014.
Almost 200,000 have died from prescription overdose since the turn of the century. In Kentucky, trends continue to follow suit as we see an increase in addiction and overdose deaths each year. Our people deserve better than this.
Drug dependency has created a predatory environment for far too many of our citizens. In order to get back to what made our region great, lawmakers are taking action to accomplish three very important things: education, prevention, and treatment.
Education is vital to stopping addiction before it begins. We must ensure our children are fully aware of the dangers addiction presents, and the House has taken significant steps to do so. Specifically, we passed a measure that will allow public school students from elementary through high school to learn about the harmful effects of prescription opioid abuse and addiction.
Larry Brown
Recommendations for the curriculum would be developed by the state Office of Drug Control Policy and implemented by the Kentucky Department of Education. It is our duty to see that Kentucky’s youth are educated on the harsh realities of drug addiction, and not let them fall prey to the belief that drugs are socially acceptable.
Prevention is also key to stopping the epidemic that has swept across our Commonwealth. The House has sent a clear message that we will not tolerate drugs in our communities by passing House Bill 333. This is an aggressive measure aimed at tackling our state’s drug problem by increasing penalties for carfentanil and fentanyl derivatives while also preventing medical patients from succumbing to pain pill addiction. We increasingly see addiction begin in our medicine cabinets, and it is vital we stop the mindset that opioids are the only solution to pain.
House Bill 333 will prevent the excessive prescribing of pain pills, while promoting alternative treatments, and stopping addiction that begins with a medical need.
While education and prevention are imperative to stopping addiction, the reality is that many Kentuckians are already suffering through this epidemic with nowhere to turn. We heard Governor Bevin address it earlier this year in the State of the Commonwealth, and the House remains committed to increasing access to treatment. With the number of individuals facing addiction in our state, it is unacceptable that we are not properly equipped to help them.
The House will allocate funding in the upcoming biennial budget to increase access to treatment and help those struggling through this battle.
Eastern Kentucky has a rich tradition of the very best people: kind, loyal, and hardworking individuals wanting to provide a better life for their families. In order to build a better Kentucky, we must seek to rid ourselves of this life-altering, life-threating drug abuse.
We must educate our youth, prevent the continuation of this epidemic, and increase access to treatment for those who have gone down a path they need help back from. We in the General Assembly are committed to helping Appalachia. We are committed to a better Kentucky.
Rep. Larry Brown represents the 95th House district, which includes Pike and Floyd counties
