Date Available
1-4-2016
Year of Publication
2015
Document Type
Graduate Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
College
Public Health
Faculty
Sarah Wackerbarth, PhD
Faculty
Dr. Linda Alexander
Faculty
Richard Ingram, DrPH
Abstract
Needle sharing has become an important factor in the prevalence of HIV and viral hepatitis rates as injection drug use of illicit substances, such as heroin and prescription opioids, has increased across the United States. Kentucky, much like the rest of the nation, has also been devastated by the recent surge of injection drug use. In 2010, drug overdose rates ranked Kentucky as the third highest state in the nation. Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) rates within Kentucky have been consistently higher than the national rate since 2007 and 2003, respectively. Hospital discharge costs related to HCV infections have increased by $167 million. In response to this public health problem, the Commonwealth of Kentucky passed Senate Bill 192 (KY SB 192), a comprehensive drug policy with a goals to mitigate the spread of HIV and viral hepatitis. Provisions of the bill include harsher penalties for heroin trafficking, additional allocation of funds for addiction treatment, legal immunity for reporting a drug overdose victim, an increase in the availability of Naloxone, and authorization of needle and syringe exchange programs (NSEP). KY SB 192 is a multifaceted drug policy, the needle exchange provision was highly debated and embodies the four characteristics of a morality policy: marked by controversy, symbolic nature, the policy attracts a diverse policy community, and enduring controversy. The implementation of NSEP in the state of Kentucky carries the following projections: An average decrease of 1 to 6 HIV cases per year and an approximate annual decline in rate by 0.04 to 0.50 per 100,000 (or 1.8 – 22.1 cases per 100,000) for HCV. This amounts to approximately $2 million in cost savings for both HIV and HCV treatment.
Recommended Citation
Dantzler, Sierra Nicole, "Policy Analysis of Kentucky Senate Bill 192" (2015). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 69.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/69
