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State Representative Jim Buchy
Review of the Law Enforcement Study Committee
 
As I travel west central Ohio, I continue to hear concerns about the growing drug problem in our region—and how it is affecting the entire state.  I have always been in favor of fighting drugs because they tear our families apart and cripple the workforce. That is why I traveled the state this summer to learn more about this problem and the obstacles that slow law enforcement’s ability to respond to this epidemic.
 
The study committee was formed by a group of bipartisan legislators and it traveled the state this summer to listen to the experts and people who have experienced the epidemic first hand.  At the moment committee members are meeting to review testimony from the summer committees and discuss a list of recommendations based on our findings.
 
Having the perspective of law enforcement officials is essential to stopping the drug problem. They see how drugs are affecting our communities and offer unique insight. The examples they shared will help this committee to identify ways that state government can improve the response to the drug problem.
 
Although the committee met to discuss new ideas and issues related to the drug epidemic, a recurring bill that came up in discussion was House Bill 363.  This bill deals with the Good Samaritan Law. The bill reacts to the inability of a co-user to refer a friend for medical assistance in a dangerous situation for fear of being prosecuted for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
 
Advocates support the bill because it could save lives by protecting access to medical assistance during times of possible overdose or emergency. Prior to the committee, I cosponsored this legislation in the hopes that it would prevent the death of many young people, and provide a path to rehabilitation for those involved with drugs.
 
Some other ideas brought up in committee address the causes of the drug problem. Shelby County Sheriff John Lenhart served as a key expert for the committee.  He traveled to each study committee hearing and helped to recruit other witnesses for testimony.
 
In particular, Sheriff Lenhart pointed out the need for a state level coordination of law enforcement at all levels to combat the drug problem.  This is especially important because so much drug activity occurs while crossing multiple jurisdictional lines.
 
We also learned about the growing problem of pregnant women being supplied with drugs, not to mention the lifelong problems of a child born following the drug usage of a mother.  The usage of these drugs will cause complications for pregnancy that could lead to a mother’s inability to carry the baby to full term.  Some people who spoke before the committee suggested that we may include supplying a pregnant woman with drugs to be a violation of Ohio law.
 
Collaborating with law enforcement on the drug problem ensures that laws are created that truly target the problems associated with drugs.  We need to work together to bring the drug epidemic to a close and help our local communities recover from the societal problems it is causing.  The Law Enforcement Study Committee will prepare a final report in the coming weeks that can be reviewed by other law makers for their consideration when improving Ohio’s laws.
 
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyoctober2014.


 
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