Governor Malloy, joined by Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Commissioner Pat Rehmer and other state and local officials, held a bill signing ceremony for Act 14-61, which grants civil and criminal liability protection to anyone who administers Naloxone (Narcan) to someone who has overdosed.
This is huge. Why? Because now anyone can use the antidote without fear of criminal or civil prosecution
The bill is focused on reducing fatalities from heroin and prescription drug overdoses. Narcan is a prescription drug that reverses the effects of an opiate overdose. It can be administered by almost anyone with little to no training and comes as either an injection or a nasal spray.
“As we work to implement strategies that will prevent overdoses and reduce over-prescribing, it is also imperative that we remove potential barriers to Narcan use,” said Governor Malloy. “This legislation may encourage someone to act to save a life and be the catalyst that causes someone battling addiction to seek treatment.”
Connecticut is highly involved in efforts and strategies to combat deaths from overdoses including rapidly linking opiate addicted people to medicated assisted treatment. Connecticut is also working hard to educate the public of the dangers of prescription drugs and heroin and is also implementing a widespread drug take back days as well as prescription drug drop boxes to safely dispose of unneeded medication.
“Drug overdose is a leading cause of death due to injury in the United States, and among people 20-64 years old, drug overdose causes more deaths than motor vehicle traffic crashes,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “Naloxone (Narcan) is a safe and effective prescription medicine that reverses an opioid overdose. Last week, the scope of practice for all licensed Connecticut EMS providers was expanded to include the administration of Naloxone. This expansion, like this good Samaritan legislation, are important strategies that will help prevent deaths in Connecticut due to opioid overdose.”
“Drug related overdoses have increased significantly and are the leading cause of accidental deaths in Connecticut,” said State Representative Gerald Fox III, House Chair of the Judiciary Committee (D-Stamford). “Citizens should not fear prosecution in attempting to save a life. Enhancing access by allowing non-medical personnel to carry and administer Narcan, a drug overdose medication, is a step towards treating the epidemic we are experiencing. Saving lives while protecting good Samaritans is good policy.”