State Republican leaders plan to press for anti-heroin legislation again in the upcoming 2015 session.
The move comes despite two failed attempts in past sessions.
The legislation is likely to share a lot in common with previous heroin bills, but Senate Republicans hope the differences that sank past efforts can be ironed out this time. At a press conference in Northern Kentucky Thursday covered by cn|2, Senate President Robert Stivers said the culture in Frankfort played a role in killing the legislation in 2014.
"It’s frustrating to think that policy, politics or personality got in the way of this," he said.
As for the next heroin bill, sponsor Chris McDaniel told reporters it will focus on three areas: education, enforcement, and addiction.
"What we'll be looking at is answering the question directly, not who should be the lead agency but at what point in the cycle of addiction is a person most likely to be receptive to treatment for that addiction," McDaniel explained.
Republican Sen. John Schickel added that increases in the number of deaths related to heroin use across the state could provide the needed momentum to pass the legislation in 2015.
