Input wanted on Wis. heroin bills

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A legislative committee is set to take public comments on a package of bills designed to combat heroin addiction.

Rep. John Nygren, a Marinette Republican whose daughter has struggled with heroin addiction, introduced the proposals. One bill would allow trained first responders, police officers and firefighters to administer Narcan, a drug that counters the effects of a heroin overdose. Another would provide limited immunity for people who get medical help for someone suffering from an overdose. A third would allow the state Justice Department as well as municipal governments to authorize people to run drug disposal programs.

The Assembly’s criminal justice committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the measures Thursday. The committee is expected to vote on whether to pass the proposals on to the full body.