Rep. McCarty: Overdose Reversal Drug Provides Segue to Hope

HARTFORD—Yesterday was a monumental day for positive change at the State Capitol. After Republican lawmakers released their five-year budget plan – Pathway to Sustainability – the House passed House Bill 5053, An Act Increasing Access to Overdose Reversal Drugs, co-sponsored by State Rep. Kathleen McCarty (R-38).

This legislation requires cities and towns to make sure they have a group of emergency first responders equipped and trained to administer the overdose-reversal drug naloxone. Naloxone is an emergency drug that can save the life of a person who has overdosed on heroin or prescription opioids. The bill drafted in response to the addiction crisis gripping communities statewide and received unanimous support in both legislative chambers.

“I read just yesterday in the New London Day that drug overdoses cause more deaths than car accidents in Connecticut – on average, two lives are lost each and every day,” said Rep. McCarty, member of the Public Health Committee. “Last year, more than 700 people died from accidental drug overdoses in the state, with more than 60 percent involving opioids. These numbers are staggering and unacceptable. More education, early intervention and prevention are needed in order to curb addiction. This bill will provide hope for the time being, and will be the first step at giving back life to those who are suffering.”

Among the bipartisan legislation’s many components, it:

• Limits practitioners from issuing prescriptions for opioids to minors for more than a 7 day supply;
• Prohibits commercial health carriers from requiring prior authorization for coverage of naloxone;
• Changes electronic prescription monitoring programs to improve prescriber and pharmacist compliance; and
• Expands participation of community stakeholders in the Alcohol and Drug Policy Council, and requires the panel to include in our statewide plan a goal of reducing the number of opioid-induced death.

The legislation awaits consideration in the Senate, and following the governor’s anticipated signature, it will be signed into law and will add to the growing number of bills the legislature has passed to combat Connecticut’s growing addiction crisis.

Rep. McCarty represents the 38th district of Waterford and Montville.