State of South Carolina secondary Archives: on Drugs

Russell Fry: Require reporting of administration of opioid antidote

Analysis by Count On 2 NBC News: A new state law requires South Carolina health care facilities to report to the state health department every time they administer an opioid antidote. This information will be collected for the state's prescription monitoring program. DHEC already tracks antidote administrations from some law enforcement and firefighters, but now all first responders will be required to submit that data as well. The goal of the law is to get a fuller picture of opioid misuse in the state.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 44-0-2 on May/8/19; passed House 103-0-20 on May/9/19; State Rep. Russell Fry co-sponsored and voted YES; Signed by Governor Henry McMaster on May/16/19

Gary Johnson: Harm-reduction: health issue rather than criminal issue

A: As governor of New Mexico, everything was a cost-benefit analysis. Using that as a criteria: half of what we spend on law enforcement, the courts, and the prisons is drug-related. And to what end? We're arresting 1.8 million people a year in this country. We now have 2.3 million people behind bars. We have the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world. If people look at it, they'll see that 90% of the drug problem is prohibition-related, not use-related. That's not to discount the problems with use and abuse, but that ought to be the focus. I advocate legalizing marijuana: control it; regulate it; and tax it. It'll never be legal for kids to smoke pot or buy pot; It'll never be legal to do harm while smoking pot. When it comes to all other drugs, I advocate harm-reduction strategies, which is looking at the drug problem first as a health issue rather than as a criminal justice issue.

Henry McMaster: Opioids: awareness, information, treatment, & enforcement

For the last three years, we had more opioid-related deaths in South Carolina than homicides and drunk driving deaths combined. In 2016, this "silent hurricane" killed 616 people.

And it's not just pills. Addictions intensify from one substance to another. From 2014 to 2016, heroin deaths increased 67%, plus a more than 700% increase in cases involving fentanyl.

We must take a bold new approach to this unprecedented threat. It consists of a "full court press," including awareness, information and treatment. Last month, I declared a statewide public health emergency. This allows us to bring the full power of the state's emergency management infrastructure, health care apparatus and law enforcement resources to bear--as a single team--upon the growing epidemic of opioid deaths, addiction and abuse.

Henry McMaster: Require reporting of administration of opioid antidote

Analysis by Count On 2 NBC News:A new state law requires South Carolina health care facilities to report to the state health department every time they administer an opioid antidote. This information will be collected for the state's prescription monitoring program. DHEC already tracks antidote administrations from some law enforcement and firefighters, but now all first responders will be required to submit that data as well. The goal of the law is to get a fuller picture of opioid misuse in the state.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 44-0-2 on May/8/19; passed House 103-0-20 on May/9/19; Signed by Governor Henry McMaster on May/16/19

Jaime Harrison: Legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana like alcohol, tobacco

Jaime Harrison: Yes. "I think we should legalize, regulate and tax marijuana like we do alcohol and tobacco."

Lindsey Graham: Mixed. Has supported protecting state medical legalization laws. Opposed SAFE Banking Amendment and opposes recreational legalization.

James Emerson Smith: Additional licenses for more drug treatment facilities

Veto Letter from Gov. Haley: I am vetoing this bill because I believe the Certificate of Need program create unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market. The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed. While I understand that this bill is designed in-part to control the growth of treatment facilities that distribute controlled substances, these facilities are already highly regulated & do not need additional licensure.

Legislative outcome:Bill passed Senate 31-11-0 on March 24; bill passed House 94-0-30 on May 4; Rep. Smith voted YES; vetoed by Governor Haley on May 23; Veto overridden, law took effect 6/15/2011.

Kevin Bryant: Change Medicare incentives to address opioid addiction

Krystle Matthews: Require reporting of administration of opioid antidote

Analysis by Count On 2 NBC News:A new state law requires South Carolina health care facilities to report to the state health department every time they administer an opioid antidote. This information will be collected for the state's prescription monitoring program. DHEC already tracks antidote administrations from some law enforcement and firefighters, but now all first responders will be required to submit that data as well. The goal of the law is to get a fuller picture of opioid misuse in the state.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 44-0-2 on May/8/19; passed House 103-0-20 on May/9/19; State Rep. Krystle Matthews voted YES; Signed by Governor Henry McMaster on May/16/19

Krystle Matthews: South Carolina should be ready to support medical marijuana

Lee Bright: No additional licensure for drug treatment facilities

Veto Letter from Gov. Haley: I am vetoing this bill because I believe the Certificate of Need program create unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market. The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed. While I understand that this bill is designed in-part to control the growth of treatment facilities that distribute controlled substances, these facilities are already highly regulated & do not need additional licensure.

Legislative outcome:Bill passed Senate 31-11-0 on March 24; Sen. Bright voted NAY; bill passed House 94-0-30 on May 4; vetoed by Governor Haley on May 23; Veto overridden, law took effect 6/15/2011.

Lindsey Graham: For medical legalization; opposes recreational legalization

Lindsey Graham: Mixed. Has supported protecting state medical legalization laws. Opposed SAFE Banking Amendment and opposes recreational legalization.

Jaime Harrison: Yes. "I think we should legalize, regulate and tax marijuana like we do alcohol and tobacco."

Mia McLeod: Sponsored bill that would decriminalize marijuana

Mia McLeod: Require reporting of administration of opioid antidote

Analysis by Count On 2 NBC News: A new state law requires South Carolina health care facilities to report to the state health department every time they administer an opioid antidote. This information will be collected for the state's prescription monitoring program. DHEC already tracks antidote administrations from some law enforcement and firefighters, but now all first responders will be required to submit that data as well. The goal of the law is to get a fuller picture of opioid misuse in the state.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 44-0-2 on May/8/19; State Sen. McLeod voted YES; passed House 103-0-20 on May/9/19; Signed by Governor Henry McMaster on May/16/19

Mia McLeod: Additional licenses for more drug treatment facilities

Veto Letter from Gov. Haley:ÿ I am vetoing this bill because I believe the Certificate of Need program create unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market. The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed. While I understand that this bill is designed in-part to control the growth of treatment facilities that distribute controlled substances, these facilities are already highly regulated & do not need additional licensure.

Legislative outcome: Bill passed Senate 31-11-0 on March 24; State Sen. McLeod voted YES; bill passed House 94-0-30 on May 4; vetoed by Governor Haley on May 23; Veto overridden, law took effect 6/15/2011.

Nancy Mace: Require reporting of administration of opioid antidote

Analysis by Count On 2 NBC News:A new state law requires South Carolina health care facilities to report to the state health department every time they administer an opioid antidote. This information will be collected for the state's prescription monitoring program. DHEC already tracks antidote administrations from some law enforcement and firefighters, but now all first responders will be required to submit that data as well. The goal of the law is to get a fuller picture of opioid misuse in the state.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 44-0-2 on May/8/19; passed House 103-0-20 on May/9/19; State Rep. Nancy Mace voted YES; Signed by Governor Henry McMaster on May/16/19

Nikki Haley: Vetoed additional licensure for drug treatment facilities

Veto Letter from Gov. Haley: I am vetoing this bill because I believe the Certificate of Need program create unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market. The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed. While I understand that this bill is designed in-part to control the growth of treatment facilities that distribute controlled substances, these facilities are already highly regulated & do not need additional licensure.

Legislative outcome:Bill passed Senate 31-11-0 on March 24; bill passed House 94-0-30 on May 4; vetoed by Governor Haley on May 23; Veto overridden, law took effect 6/15/2011.

Rick Wade: State director of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services

Ron Paul: We don't need laws to tell us to not use heroin

A: It's an issue of protecting liberty across the board. If you have the inconsistency, then you're really not defending liberty. We want freedom [including] when it comes to our personal habits.

Q: Are you suggesting that heroin and prostitution are an exercise of liberty?

A: Yes, in essence, if we leave it to the states. For over 100 years, they WERE legal. You're implying if we legalize heroin tomorrow, everyone's gonna use heroin.

How many people here are going to use heroin if it were legal? I bet nobody! "Oh yeah, I need the government to take care of me. I don't want to use heroin, so I need these laws!"

A: I never thought heroin would get applause!

Thomas Dixon: Self-described former alcoholic and drug addict

Thomas Ravenel: In favor of ending the war on drugs

Facing 20 years in jail and a $1 million fine, Ravenel accepted a plea deal to serve 10 months in prison and pay a $250,000 fine (he spent the last three months of that sentence on house arrest at his mother's retirement home). He again ran afoul of the law when he faced drunk-driving charges in 2013, though that only resulted in a six-month suspension of his driver's license and a small fine.

Thomas Ravenel: End the war on drugs; it's federal overreach & unsuccessful

"I don't want to see South Carolina legalize drugs, but I want the federal government to say, 'We're getting out of this business,'" Ravenel said. "Our war on drugs is far worse than Prohibition" in the 1920s; "then it was just manufacturers; now it's mere users that get locked up."

Tim Scott: Marijuana is unhealthy, but states' rights are important too

There is growing scientific evidence documenting the health risks associated with marijuana use including adverse effects on the lungs, the cardiovascular system, and possibly the immune & reproductive systems. However, I also understand the great importance of preserving the rights bestowed to the States.

Thank you again for your thoughts on this important issue. Sincerely, Tim Scott, Member of Congress

Tommy Pope: Curb the opioid epidemic and focus on future prevention

Tommy Pope: Abstained from vote on licensing drug treatment facilities

Veto Letter from Gov. Haley: I am vetoing this bill because I believe the Certificate of Need program create unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market. The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed. While I understand that this bill is designed in-part to control the growth of treatment facilities that distribute controlled substances, these facilities are already highly regulated & do not need additional licensure.

Legislative outcome:Bill passed Senate 31-11-0 on March 24; Sen. Pope voted NV (abstained); bill passed House 94-0-30 on May 4; vetoed by Governor Haley on May 23; Veto overridden, law took effect 6/15/2011.

Yancey McGill: Additional licenses for more drug treatment facilities

Veto Letter from Gov. Haley: I am vetoing this bill because I believe the Certificate of Need program create unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market. The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed. While I understand that this bill is designed in-part to control the growth of treatment facilities that distribute controlled substances, these facilities are already highly regulated & do not need additional licensure.

Legislative outcome:Bill passed Senate 31-11-0 on March 24; Sen. McGill voted YES; bill passed House 94-0-30 on May 4; vetoed by Governor Haley on May 23; Veto overridden, law took effect 6/15/2011.