Naloxone Access Bill

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2015/03/naloxone.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:300;s:4:"file";s:20:"2015/03/naloxone.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:5:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"naloxone-336x168.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:168;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"naloxone-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"naloxone-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"naloxone-470x235.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:235;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"naloxone-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Wikimedia Commons
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:152956;s:14:"optimized_size";i:108234;s:7:"percent";d:29.239999999999998;}s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:48:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/naloxone.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:43392;s:14:"optimized_size";i:30086;s:7:"percent";d:30.66;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:56:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/naloxone-336x168.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:15461;s:14:"optimized_size";i:11345;s:7:"percent";d:26.620000000000001;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:56:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/naloxone-600x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:42192;s:14:"optimized_size";i:29676;s:7:"percent";d:29.66;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:56:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/naloxone-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:25363;s:14:"optimized_size";i:18014;s:7:"percent";d:28.98;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:56:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/naloxone-470x235.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:26548;s:14:"optimized_size";i:19113;s:7:"percent";d:28.010000000000002;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1637576176 
1427328000

With heroin use increasing in Alabama the last few years, public health leaders are looking for ways to reduce heroin overdose deaths. Naloxone could be part of it.

The drug, more commonly known as Narcan, can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose if administered to a user in time. It’s not addictive nor does it produce a high. State Representative Allen Treadaway (R-Morris) refers to it as a miracle drug. Treadaway is also a Birmingham police captain and he’s introduced HB 208 in the Alabama legislature to expand access to Naloxone.

First, the bill would allow a doctor or dentist to prescribe Naloxone to individuals struggling with heroin addiction or to someone who is in close contact with that person. That way the drug could be available should an overdose occur.

Secondly, the bill would allow police officers to carry Naloxone and administer it in the event of an overdose. Treadaway said that change could make a difference particularly for rural law enforcement.

“They’re the first ones on the scene, sometimes 20 or 30 minutes before any medical personnel can reach the scene,” said Treadaway. “It’ll allow for medical personnel to get to the scene and get the individual transported to a medical facility.”

Twenty-eight states have some form of Naloxone access laws.

Treadaway said there was some apprehension from the law enforcement community that the use of the drug, along with the expense, would be mandated. The bill allows the use of Naloxone, but doesn’t require it.

“To be able to have something [that requires] minimal training to administer and can save a life, I can tell you it’s something I would chose to carry,” said Treadaway.

Treadway says reaction from other lawmakers has been positive. He expects HB 208 to be brought up in committee on Wednesday.

 

United Nations nuclear agency again condemns Iran for failing to fully cooperate

The resolution comes after the agency said Iran has defied demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.

Alabama carries out nation’s 3rd nitrogen gas execution

An Alabama man convicted in the 1994 killing of a hitchhiker cursed at the prison warden shortly before he was put to death Thursday evening in the nation's third execution using nitrogen gas.

Trump names former Florida AG Pam Bondi as his new pick for U.S. attorney general

After former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration, President-elect Donald Trump named Pam Bondi, a former attorney general of Florida, as his next pick for U.S. attorney general.

Police report gives details, timeline of the sexual assault claim against Pete Hegseth

The woman who accused then-Fox News host of sexual assault in 2017 said that she "remembered saying 'no' a lot," according to a police report. Hegseth is President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of Defense.

Alabama Black Belt’s sewer crisis a tougher fix for residents in manufactured homes

Poor sanitation has long plagued residents in Alabama’s Black Belt. For people with manufactured houses, finding a solution has been more challenging.

In Birmingham, Black men’s groups work to save young men from the cycle of gun violence

As the city inches closer to its homicide record, community members are trying to address a sense of fatalism and lack of opportunity felt by some young men.

More Government Coverage