Loychik Gives Sponsor Testimony on House Bill 356

COLUMBUS – State Representative Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) had sponsor testimony today on House Bill 356, known as the Comprehensive Ohio Drug Addiction Solution, in the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee. 

“This is an extremely important piece of legislation that I am proud to be a sponsor of and I look forward to seeing it swiftly move through the committee process as its agenda is needed now more than ever,” said Loychik. 

This legislation is designed to address the drug epidemic we are facing throughout our state.  

According to a report by the Surgeon General, substance-use disorder costs the country $504 Billon annually in health-care and criminal-justice spending, as well as in lost productivity. 

Currently, the way the epidemic is being addressed is not sustainable. We must focus on long-term treatment and this legislation will institute a new program for those arrested to receive treatment over the course of three years in lieu of conviction. 

Additionally, the penalties for dealers of heroin are far too lax often times resulting in short jail sentences. This legislation will raise the minimum penalty for anyone who distributes opioids to match that of armed robbery. Further, when released they can be searched at any time for a 10 year period. This makes convicted dealers unemployable as traffickers in Ohio. 

Lastly, this legislation will work to address the problem of overcrowding in our jails by creating a new alternative punishment for offenders that are not a threat to society by giving them the option to serve double-length sentences of working two, 12-hour shifts every weekend.

Despite all awareness campaigns, the public still does not know that 5 days of painkillers can addict you. This bill would require new prescriptions for painkillers to be no longer than 3 days, after which a new prescription is needed. Health licensing boards would have some flexibility with this. Any opioid prescription filled for cumulative five days or more would have pharmacists counsel patients on the risk of addiction.

“I will continue to fight the opioid epidemic and am confident that this legislation will help combat the crisis we are facing in our state,” added Loychik.