Legal Interventions To Reduce Overdose Mortality : Naloxone Access And Good Samaritan Laws

March , 2014
LEGAL INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE OVERDOSE MORTALITY : NALOXONE ACCESS AND OVERDOSE GOOD SAMARITAN LAWS

https://www.networkforphl.org/_asset/qz5pvn/network-naloxone-10-4.pdf

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Last year California joined 17 other states in enacting "Good Samaritan" legislation. They followed up by legalizing "civilian" administration of the opiate blocker, naloxone (Narcan) in the event of an opiate OD.

The first provides some legal immunity on minor drug infractions for anyone who calls 911 in the event of an overdose. The second legalizes the administration of naloxone by non-medical personnel - family, friends, co-users. Naloxone is very safe, effective and time really is of the essence.

Organizations around the state - primarily legal syringe exchange programs - are training folks on recognizing an OD, administration of naloxone (there are oral and injectable formulations), rescue breathing and that 911 call.

Massachusetts has had a significant drop in overdose deaths attributed to this approach. And one point gets made repeatedly in the harm reduction field - You can't deal with opiate addiction if you're dead.

(link is a large, but great pdf file)