HOUSE MOVES KEY BILL TO ADDRESS DRUG OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC On Sept. 17, the House voted unanimously to approve SB 1164, a bill which includes major provisions of the CCAP overdose priority. The legislation will increase access to Naloxone, a rescue drug that can reverse the effects of a drug overdose, and allow its administration by medical service providers, law enforcement, and friends and family of someone suffering from an overdose. In addition, SB 1164 offers immunity from prosecution for individuals who transport a person experiencing a drug overdose or report in good faith a drug overdose to access medical attention. The bill returns to the Senate for a vote on concurrence in amendments that were adopted in the House. Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), who also sponsored the bill, indicated that the vote is likely to occur the week of Sept. 22. At the same time, another critical component of a comprehensive strategy to address the substance abuse and drug overdose epidemic remains before the General Assembly - establishing a prescription drug monitoring program, as contained in SB 1180 and HB 1694. A drug monitoring system would afford prescribers and pharmacists a means of assuring that individuals who legitimately need pain medication have access to it, while also offering a means of identifying potential abusers. Senate Bill 1180 is currently before the House Health Committee, while HB 1694 is currently before the Senate Health and Public Welfare Committee. The end of the legislative session is approaching, with only eight session days remaining. CCAP asks counties to thank their House members for their assistance in quickly advancing SB 1164, while also urging immediate action to establish a prescription drug monitoring program. Materials to assist members in making contacts can be found on the CCAP Legislative Action Center
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 22:05:44 +0000
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