Gov. Dannel Malloy has proposed legislation to increase the access to overdose reversal drugs amid the high number of heroin deaths in the state.
"These are commonsense improvements that we can make today that will save lives tomorrow," Malloy said. "We are committed to fighting this epidemic, and in yet another session, we are taking action."
The number of heroin, morphine or codeine overdose deaths in the state doubled to more than 400 in just the past three years, according to U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal's office.
Just this morning, East Windsor police said they helped a man regain consciousness during an overdose after giving him Narcan through an IV.
According to the governor's office, Connecticut State Police have saved 63 people in 2014 by using an opioid antagonist for a person experience an overdose. In addition to police, the Hartford Fire Department announced today said Narcan kits helped resuscitated 18 different people on different occasions.
The proposed legislation will require municipalities to update existing emergency medical services plans to ensure first responders are equipped with naloxone. The legislation will also prohibit commercial health carriers from requiring prior authorization for naloxone coverage in order to remove barriers from people requesting the drug.
Last week, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in Waterford reported an "unprecedented" number of overdoses treated in a short period of time. The hospital reported treated over a dozen patients within four days.
Because of the uptick of overdoses, southeastern police departments in the state have teamed up in order to combat the number of deaths. A representative from each of the department will work with the Statewide Narcotics Task Force to explore different opportunities to combat opioid addiction.
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The governor's office said the legislation- House Bill 5053- would affect municipalities in a minor way financially since "many" cities and towns are already equipped with naloxone. Dose kits currently cost $35 each.
