Scott Statement on Virginia Delegation Letter to Governor McAuliffe Calling for a Statewide Task Force to Address Growing Heroin Epidemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on a recent Virginia delegation letter sent to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe calling for a statewide task force to address the growing heroin epidemic in the Commonwealth. Congressman Scott declined to sign the letter out of concerns of the legislative proposals referenced in his colleagues' letter.
"I am concerned about the growing use of heroin in the Commonwealth and support the establishment of a statewide task force to address this issue; however, I have serious reservations about the legislative proposals referenced in the letter sent to the Governor by my colleagues in the Virginia delegation. One proposal requiring hospitals to report overdoes to law enforcement may violate federal privacy laws, including HIPAA, and may violate doctor-patient confidentiality. This proposal may deter individuals from bringing individuals who have overdosed to the hospital if they fear that law enforcement will be notified.
"The second proposal, which may expand murder liability to include those not present at the time of an overdose, has serious culpability and burden of proof problems. While seeking additional ways to impose greater liability on heroin dealers is laudable, I do not believe this is an effective or efficient way to do it in terms of human or fiscal costs.
"While both proposals are well intentioned, I remain concerned that they will lead to unintended consequences, namely deterring individuals from doing the right thing by bringing those who are overdosing to the hospital to receive treatment. Incarcerating more individuals after the fact will not save lives. I believe there are more workable solutions, such as helping states and localities purchase and distribute medications (i.e. naloxone) that rapidly reverse overdoses from heroin, training first-responders and law enforcement to administer these medications to save lives, raising awareness in the community that these life-saving resources are available to those who call 911 or go to the hospital, and focusing on primary prevention initiatives to ensure that those at risk of drug use do not begin using heroin and other narcotics in the first place.
"I commend my colleagues for advocating for a solution to this problem. I look forward to working with them and the Governor on a more comprehensive solution to this problem."
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