Friday, January 23, 2015

Bill to prevent drug overdose deaths advances at statehouse



Legislation designed to curb the number of drug overdose deaths in West Virginia moved through the House Health and Human Resources Committee on Thursday.
The bill (HB 2009) increases the availability of the the drug naloxone, an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of narcotics. The bill would allow first responders to possess and administer naloxone while also setting guidelines for doctors to prescribe the drug.
The vote was unanimous.
Dr. Rahul Gupta, commissioner of the state Bureau of Public Health, spoke to the committee in favor of the bill:
“First responders get to the site and see that somebody is perhaps overdosed, and they are able to administer this drug immediately and buy time for that person to get to the appropriate healthcare facility.”
Officials claim West Virginia has a serious drug problem, particularly with stronger opioids such as heroin and prescription pain killers. Health statistics show the number of overdose deaths in the state has risen from 360 in 2009 to 460 in 2013.
Gupta said the expanded use of naloxone will “help save lives when overdoses do occur.”