Connecticut passed several laws in recent years to address the growing problem of addiction to opioids and the rising number of overdose deaths. Governor Dannel Malloy will unveil a package of proposals this legislative session to further prevent abuse of painkillers and overdoses.
The state has a Good Samaritan law that encourages people to call 911 if they are with someone overdosing. Doctors can also write a prescription for anyone to obtain Narcan, a drug that reverses opiate overdoses.
Malloy's proposals will include allowing pharmacists to prescribe Narcan after being trained and certified through the state Department of Consumer Protection.
Shawn Lang is Deputy Director of AIDS Connecticut who convened a statewide overdose prevention working group over two years ago. She said many of the initiatives the group has worked on are included in Malloy's legislation.
"The governor met with other New England governors last year, and they've agreed to share data through their prescription drug monitoring program," she said. "We've certainly been in conversation with him. There's been a group he's convened, and we have folks in our group involved in that group. A lot of cross- fertilization [has] happened, so it's really exciting to have a governor in office now who is willing to take these bold steps."
Malloy's package of bills also will call on pharmacies to report when it dispenses prescriptions for controlled substances immediately, instead of weekly through the state's prescription monitoring program.
