New anti-heroin bill could help locally

The Associated Press reports that legislation designed to combat opioid addiction has recently been introduced in the Idaho Legislature.

Rep. John Gannon, a Democrat from Boise, said Monday his bill would slap a second-degree murder charge on anyone who sells heroin to a user who then directly or indirectly dies because of that sale.

The drastically increasing rates of painkiller and heroin abuse have alarmed public officials across the country, but lawmakers have repeatedly struggled to find the right solution as advocacy groups have pushed states to do more.

Meanwhile, reported drug overdose deaths have skyrocketed 63 percent in Idaho between 2006 and 2014, with a total of 1,544 deaths during that period.

Although drug overdose numbers here in Shoshone County are difficult to track down, Idaho State Police reported last year that drug/ narcotic crimes were the fifth highest reported offense in the county in 2015.

Only larceny, simple assault, burglary, and vandalism were reported more (arguably, many these crimes are influenced by illegal drugs).

Kellogg Police Sgt. Paul Twidt agrees with the proposed law, saying he hopes it works as a deterrent to dealers, but also thinks the scope of the law may be too narrow.

“You need to make the risk higher than the reward for selling the drug,” Sgt. Twidt said. “I personally would like to see them include ‘shared or given’ heroin as well.”

Twidt added that the legislation should also include other drugs, such as methamphetamine.

“Meth is still a huge issue here in the valley and Heroin is on the rise.”

For the judicial side of the issue, Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine echoed Sgt. Twidt’s concerns that the bill is too limited by only targeting a single drug, “However, if it were added,” she explains, “it would expand the ability to charge under that statute.”

Any more than that though, Oxendine said, would depend on the situation of a particular case.

“A charge would not always result (in a conviction). It would require a review of the facts and circumstances to determine if there was sufficient evidence that would allow you to meet all of the elements including the intent element of the crime.”

The National Conference of State Legislatures said it tracked more than 500 state bills dealing with prescription drug abuse in 2016.

The organization expects a similar number is expected this year.

The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee agreed to send the proposal to a legislative hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

The AP contributed to this report.