Kansas is 1 of 3 states that currently don't have access to lifesaving Naloxone. 

Opioid overdoses can be reversed with the timely administration of an opioid antagonist, a medication more commonly called naloxone. Naloxone is a “rescue drug” that has been approved by the FDA and can be administered by injection or via nasal spray. The drug has no abuse potential and counteracts the life-threatening effects of an overdose allowing the victim to breathe normally after it has been administered. However, naloxone is a temporary drug that wears off in 20 to 90 minutes, making it essential to seek additional medical assistance after it has been administered.  

Often family and friends are in the best position to administer this lifesaving drug to their loved ones who overdose because they are able to react more quickly. However, access to naloxone was limited until recent actions were taken by state legislatures to reduce restrictions. Providing medication to anyone other than the at-risk drug user (called third party prescription) was previously prohibited and laws required a doctor-patient relationship to be established prior to direct prescription. Medical professionals have been hesitant to prescribe naloxone due to concerns about criminal, civil or professional liability.

New Mexico became the first state to enact legislation to increase access to Naloxone in 2001. Forty-six states and D.C. now have laws providing immunity to medical professionals who prescribe or dispense naloxone or persons who administer naloxone. The majority of these laws were passed within the last five years and promote the use of naloxone in addition to training and education on recognizing and preventing overdoses.  

By 2014 it was reported that more than 150,000 “laypeople” had received naloxone training and rescue kits resulting in more than 26,000 reported overdose reversals. Legislation and regulation has also greatly increased access to naloxone by emergency medical personnel and law enforcement.

Please join me in pushing the Kansas Senate to provide Naloxone Access and Protection laws so that we can save lives and give people a chance to recover.  Let your voices be heard Kansans.