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Good Samaritan Law targeted to save lives from heroin overdosing

A new state law allows first responders, family and friends to administer an antidote for drug overdoses. It also gives people who call for help legal protectio...
NALAXONE

A new state law allows first responders, family and friends to administer an antidote for drug overdoses. It also gives people who call for help legal protection from drug possession charges.

Dan Fouts is a paramedic with White Rose Ambulance. He’s responded to drug overdoses for 20 years. He says, “The drugs people get now are stronger, more potent and it’s killing more people.”

According to the Pennsylvania Coroners Association, over the past 5 years, heroin and opioid abuse has killed nearly 3,000 people statewide. State leaders hope the "Good Samaritan Law" will prevent overdose deaths by not punishing the person who calls for help.

Gary Tennis is the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Program. He says, "Someone might be using heroin with another individual so if any individual sees their friend has overdosed, we want them to call 911 and stick with them until help comes."

The law doesn't end there. Friends and family members now have access to a drug called Nalaxone.

Tennis says, "Nalaxone is a miracle drug, it reverses overdosing and some instances, even when the person's heart has stopped, they are revived by application of Nalaxone."

But the nasal spray's effects are temporary. A person can still overdose 30 minutes after taking the antidote.

Fouts says, "They'll fix the overdose, but patients have a tendency to become violent, projectile vomit, they can compromise their airways which will lead to more problems."

Tennis adds, "It's absolutely critical that after Nalaxone is administered, or before, to call 911."

Nalaxone is now available at the pharmacy with a doctor's prescription. It's covered by most insurance plans. Otherwise, it can cost between $25-$40. Officials with the State Department of Drug and Alcohol say they are working with health insurance companies to cover costs all together for families and law enforcement agencies.

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