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.
Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties, memo says
The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of Jan. 6, 2021 told investigators someone needed to "speak up" for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen, prosecutors said Sunday.
Chinese military stages drills around Taiwan to warn ‘external forces’
The drills came after Beijing expressed anger at U.S. arms sales, and a statement by Japan's prime minister saying its military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan.
Trump and Netanyahu to meet in Florida at a crucial moment for the Gaza ceasefire
President Trump could use the face-to-face at his Mar-a-Lago estate to look for ways to speed up the peace process, as Israel's leader has been accused of not pushing his side to move fast enough.
‘Bomb cyclone’ forecasted to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions and dangerous travel
A 'bomb cyclone' is intensifying severe winter weather for millions of people across the U.S. The system is expected to knock out power and disrupt holiday travel.
Russia sends 3 Iranian satellites into orbit, report says
The report said that a Russian rocket sent the satellites on Sunday from a launchpad in eastern Russia.
Viral global TikToks: A twist on soccer, Tanzania’s Charlie Chaplin, hope in Gaza
TikToks are everywhere (well, except countries like Australia and India, where they've been banned.) We talk to the creators of some of the year's most popular reels from the Global South.
