Naloxone Access Bill
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.
Trump’s impeachments have been removed from a Smithsonian exhibit, for now
The Smithsonian says a reference to President Trump's impeachments that was removed last month will be restored once the exhibit is updated.
SpaceX launches international crew to space station on 6-month NASA mission
NASA and SpaceX's Crew-11 mission is made up of two U.S. astronauts, one from Japan and a Russian cosmonaut. They'll be aboard the International Space Station for six months conducting research.
Do neck cooling fans really help you beat the heat?
You might see more people wearing a neck cooling fan to fight the summer heat. But can they really help? We talk to experts about how our bodies deal with heat — and to people using the fans.
Accordion master Flaco Jimenez has died at 86
Over a career that spanned 70 years, Jimenez' playing came to define the Tex-Mex music and carried the tradition-drenched conjuto sound all over the world and across genres.
Hasan Piker: a “himbo gateway drug” for progressives?
Hasan Piker likes fitness, gaming, and progressive politics, and millions of young men flock to him for his opinions. Is he the Joe Rogan of the left that Democrats are looking for? Hasan says no.
US officials on rare visit to controversial Gaza aid distribution site
U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee inspected an aid distribution center operated by the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah.
