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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 11, 2014 09:46 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Kim L. Ward |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Memo #33: Preventing Opioid Overdoses |
| I plan to introduce legislation that would allow non-health care providers to administer Naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antidote, to prevent deaths caused by opioid or heroin overdoses. Opioid-related deaths are a major problem not only in my legislative district, but throughout the Commonwealth and the nation. Naloxone, which can be administered via nasal spray or intravenously, is a simple compound that acts as an immediate antidote to a heroin or opioid overdose. My legislation would be similar in nature to a bill currently being considered in the New York State Assembly. First, it would allow state-authorized non-medical persons, such as first responders, to administer Naloxone to an individual suffering from an opioid or heroin overdose. Second, it would allow a health-care professional to prescribe, dispense or distribute Naloxone to a family member, friend or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose. These persons are most likely to discover the person who has overdosed, and if they are able to act quickly, may be able to prevent a fatality. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I thank you for your kind consideration of this request. |
Introduced as SB1299