When someone is overdosing on heroin, seconds matter. Being able to quickly administer the drug Naloxone to someone who is suspected of experiencing a heroin overdose can save his/her life.

Naloxone has been successfully used by non-medical personnel to save thousands of lives in other states, and there is no evidence that increasing access to naloxone promotes drug abuse.

House Bill 208 would permit Naloxone to be available to family members, friends, law enforcement personnel and others who may be in a position to assist a person experiencing a suspected heroin overdose. It would also help protect individuals who call the police to get help for someone who has overdosed from being arrested for drug possession or possession of alcohol by a minor.