Relates to an information card on the distribution of opioid antagonists

26 Co-sponsors

• Greg Ball
• John J. Bonacic
• Phil Boyle
• David Carlucci
• Simcha Felder
• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Terry Gipson
• Martin J. Golden
• Joseph A. Griffo
• Kemp Hannon
• Andrew J. Lanza
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Kenneth P. LaValle
• Betty Little
• Carl L. Marcellino
• Jack M. Martins
• George D. Maziarz
• Michael F. Nozzolio
• Thomas F. O'Mara
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer
• Patty Ritchie
• Joseph E. Robach
• Diane J. Savino
• James L. Seward
• David J. Valesky
• Catharine Young

BILL NUMBER:S7649A

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing an opioid overdose prevention program

Purpose

To provide an informational card with every narcan kit distributed under the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 adds a new subdivision 3 to section 3309 of the Public Health Law to provide that any distribution of opioid antagonists through the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program shall include an informational card which includes steps to take after administration of the opioid antagonist. The Commissioner may include any other information deemed relevant.

Justification

Numerous reports have indicated an alarming rise in heroin and opioid addiction and abuse in New York State, and across much of the Northeastern United States including Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine. A heroin overdose is reported to have claimed the life of Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the most gifted and talented actors of his or any generation, as well as the lives of hundreds of New Yorkers. As reported by the Associated Press, and noted in the Register Star, heroin-related deaths in New York State have more than doubled from 215 in 2008, to 478 in 2012.

Without question, the dramatic escalation in heroin and opioid abuse poses a clear and present threat to the health, safety and well-being of New Yorkers. Heroin abuse is now a public health epidemic requiring proactive policy action to address the increase and mitigate its consequences.

Opioid antagonists have proven highly effective in saving lives in the event of an overdose by heroin or other opioids. If left untreated, a heroin overdose typically leads to respiratory problems, cardiac arrhythmia and eventually death. Opioid antagonists help counteract this death spiral by binding to opioid receptors and reversing - or forestalling - an individual's physical reaction to an otherwise fatal overdose. The intervening minutes can allow the timely intervention of professionally trained emergency medical personnel.

Ensuring the safe and effective administration of opioid antagonists is a priority. The inclusion of an informational card that provides specific step-by-step instructions for an individual to take after the administration of an opioid antagonist is of paramount importance. Employing such a detailed card will help ensure that the victim of a heroin and opioid overdose receives the necessary, timely medical care that can help save their life and prevent a tragedy.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

To be determined

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately