The state House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill providing civil and criminal immunity to anyone administering an opioid antagonist drug like naloxone (commonly referred to by brand name Narcan) to a person suffering from an overdose from heroin or other opioids.
Representative John Frey (R-Ridgefield), a co-sponsor of the measure, hailed the bill as a life saver, saying that the legislation "will prevent a large number of unnecessary deaths due to drug overdoses, and provide families and friends of those suffering with peace of mind."
In 2012, Frey voted to pass a law allowing friends and family to obtain a prescription for naloxone if they suspect opioid abuse by a loved one. However, under that statute, only licensed medical practitioners were immune from prosecution if they administer the drug to someone experiencing an overdose.
The bill that passed unanimously through the House on Thursday, H.B. 5487, would extend that immunity to anyone administering a naloxone dose who is deemed to be acting in "good faith" and reasonable care.
Thursday's bill, which is currently awaiting a vote in the state Senate, extends its protections to those administering an "opioid antagonist," which for the purposes of the bill refers to "naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of drug overdose."
"We want people to know that they don't have to let their loved ones suffer alone for fear of prosecution," Frey added. "This bill should let them breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they can provide life-saving help should they need to."