By Bob Katzen

The Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery will hold a hearing on September 15 on legislation that would require government entities to supply first responders with Narcan, also known by its generic name naloxone, or another opioid antagonist which is used as an emergency treatment used for the complete or partial reversal of an opioid overdose.

The bill also incorporates existing Department of Public Health-regulated naloxone training into the first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training first responders already undergo.

Sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said the bill would require the opioid antagonist to be carried either by the responder or in their emergency response vehicle, or both. “Delays in the administration of opioid antagonists can be deadly,” said Lovely. “We cannot be sure which category of first responder will be the first to arrive on the scene, and training and providing all first responders with opioid antagonists will ensure we are able to effectively treat overdoses and save lives.”