![]() The majority of these provide immunity to medical professionals who prescribe or dispense naloxone or individuals who possess or administer naloxone. Since then every state has enacted a law to broaden access to naloxone. New Mexico became the first state to enact legislation to increase access to naloxone in 2001. ![]() Medical professionals and other interested parties have welcomed these new laws as a way to reduce the toll of the opioid epidemic and alleviate concerns about criminal, civil and professional liability. Providing medication to someone other than the at-risk drug user (called third party prescription) was usually prohibited and laws required a doctor-patient relationship to be established before direct prescription. Access to naloxone, however, was relatively limited until legislatures provided specific statutory protections for nonmedical professionals to possess and administer naloxone without a prescription. Often family and friends are in the best position to administer this lifesaving drug to their loved ones who overdose. Seeking professional medical assistance after administering naloxone, however, is important because it is a temporary drug and multiple administrations may be necessary if overdose symptoms return. The drug has no abuse potential and counteracts the life-threatening effects of an overdose. ![]() ![]() Naloxone is a “rescue drug” that has been approved by the FDA and can be administered in a number of ways that make it possible for a lay person to use. Opioid overdoses can be reversed with the timely administration of a medication called naloxone. In 2016 nearly every state enacted legislation addressing opioids, including heroin and prescription drugs, and in 2017 the majority of states have again enacted legislation on this issue. Policymakers have sought solutions that will help curb use and overdose by expanding access to treatment, increasing diversion opportunities and funding, modifying penalties, expanding Good Samaritan immunity, and increasing naloxone access. Since 2010, 30 states have experienced increases in opioid deaths and the increase in deaths from 2014 to 2015 can most likely be attributed to heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. More than 52,000Americans died of a drug overdose in 2015, the majority caused by opioids. Diversion, Treatment and Criminal Penaltiesĭrug overdose death rates have continued to rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control. ![]() Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety.Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce.E-Learning | Staff Professional Development.Research, Editorial, Legal and Committee Staff.Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee.Institute for International Cooperation. ![]()
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