House introduces legislation to increase penalties for drug users
West Virginia has suffered from a horrendous drug epidemic for years. The state has had the highest drug overdose death rate in the country for several years including 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says while other states have seen a drug problem, the Mountain State is by far the hardest hit.
The House has decided to tackle the issue by introducing several pieces of legislation this session and making a committee dedicated to the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
House Bill 2083 was on first reading Feb. 24 and would increase the felony criminal penalties for exposing children to methamphetamine manufacturing.
Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, said there is no direct solution to the drug epidemic, making it that much more difficult to fix.
“Until we can improve education and create jobs there truly is no fix” he said.
Takubo said until the economic climate and education are better, the environment in the state will continue to drive some of its people to turn to dire straits like drugs.
Takubo serves as the chair of the Health and Human Resources committee and has roles on Economic Development, Finance, Government Organization and Natural Resources.
Delegate Kayla Kessinger, R-Fayette, serves as the vice chair for the Select Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse where they are already tackling big legislation to combat the drug problem.
Kessinger said she is glad Leadership has decided that substance abuse is important enough to make a major committee and to be part of it.
The committee has already passed legislation increasing the penalties for drug abuse in the presence of children.
“We all know the drug problem is a serious problem and I’m proud to be serving on this committee,” she said. “It shows our dedication to it and erasing the problem in the state.”
Lawmakers have introduced several other bills dealing directly with the drug problem.
HB 2207 would authorize the State Tax Commissioner to issue business licenses for the purpose of selling drug paraphernalia, to void licenses issued prior to July 1, 2015 and to prohibit the sales on and after July 1, 2017.
HB 2457 would create the West Virginia Addictions Treatment and Recovery Fund.
