LETTER: Silent Haley must act on overdose, HIV rates

To the editor:

Gov. [Nikki] Haley’s silence on the overdose epidemic as well as the high rate of HIV in rural communities continues to risk the lives of thousands of South Carolinians.

The PBS documentary that aired Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, Wilhemina’s War, paints a bleak picture of those that are infected with HIV in S.C.  SC ranks eighth in the nation for HIV rates and ranks 16th in the nation for death from drug overdoses. Because of the strong link between rising HIV rates, Hepatitis C and intravenous drug use, she must use her governing power to act. While numerous governors have addressed both these epidemics with compassionate and supportive legislation, she continues to take a back seat.

Gov. Mike Pence from Indiana had no choice but to issue an executive order declaring a public health emergency to address HIV and drug use. He ordered the state health department to coordinate needle exchanges, HIV and substance use treatment, and to enroll people in state-run health care in an effort to keep HIV and hepatitis from spreading. Indiana expanded access to naloxone, the antidote for opioid poisoning, as well as a public awareness campaign. A 911 Good Samaritan Law, protecting the victim and caller from arrest during an overdose, is under discussion.

Gov. Haley must break her silence and add her voice to expanding the current Overdose Prevention Act to further protect the people of S.C. She needs to demand that during this shortened legislative session, the House and Senate work together to pass legislation of a NO CHARGE 911 Good Samaritan Law, expand the current naloxone availability law, address the HIV and HepC crisis and save lives. Otherwise, she also will have no choice but to use and executive order to combat a problem that has skyrocketed out of control.

— Elaine Pawlowski, Daniel Island, S.C.

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