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New anti-heroin proposals emerge

A year after approving a sweeping anti-heroin proposal over Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto, some state lawmakers have brought up new ideas to address the heroin crisis that could be considered in the coming weeks.

State Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat, has proposed that people who are getting state services and are addicted must be informed about treatment options and the use of naloxone, an overdose antidote.

"(The heroin law) put burdens on the state of Illinois and gave rights and privileges to patients," said Lang, who shepherded that bill. "(One bill) requires all providers of services to let patients know what rights and privileges they have."

Another proposal says drug court judges can't take away a defendant's medically assisted addiction treatment, such as methadone.

"Judicial discretion is good for sentencing, but not for clinical decisions," said Kathie Kane-Willis, director of the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy.

Both plans received Illinois House committee approval Monday, moving on for further debate.

Rauner's office says the plans are "under review."

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