AUGUSTA - Legislation to increase the availability of intranasal naloxone in community and corrections settings, sponsored by Rep. Jan Dodge, D-Belfast, will go into effect Monday, August 8.
LD 1428 authorizes law enforcement officers, corrections officers and municipal firefighters to administer or dispense naloxone in an attempt to reverse an opioid overdose. The measure also allows corrections officers to administer naloxone, without the barrier of an official certification.
"Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the 4th Annual Opioid Response Summit, where I took part in exchanging ideas on how we can best address our opioid crisis with community members, advocates and legislators," said Dodge. "This law will progress our efforts to save the lives of Mainers struggling with opioid use. I look forward to continuing to support legislation that protects the health of our community members during the next legislative session."
According to the Maine Drug Data Hub, 3,962 fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses were reported from January to May 2022. Ninety-three percent of those overdoses were nonfatal, of which 896 were reported to have been reversed by community members and five were reversed by law enforcement officers.
Dodge, a member of the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives. She represents the communities of Belfast, Northport and Waldo.
Photo caption: Gov. Janet Mills signs into law a measure by Rep. Jan Dodge, D-Belfast, that will increase the availability of intranasal naloxone in community and corrections settings.
Contact:
Katie Walsh [Dodge], c. 776-2122
Photo: Gov. Janet Mills signs into law a measure by Rep. Jan Dodge, D-Belfast, that will increase the availability of intranasal naloxone in community and corrections settings.
Pictured from left to right: Rep. Jan Dodge of Belfast, Gov. Janet Mills and Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response.