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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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