Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal recently proposed legislation aimed at preventing prescription drug and heroin overdoses.The Opioid Overdose Reduction Act of 2015 would exempt medical and non-medical personnel from civil liability if they treat an overdose victim with Narcan, a drug used to counter the effects of opioids. Congressman Neal says there also needs to be a focus on long-term rehabilitation.
“We have to figure out where it’s not just that moment when they are brought back to life with a near-death experience but also to understand that while that [Narcan] needs to be available and accessible that that doesn’t address the whole problem of rehabilitation down the road,” said Neal.
Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey is co-sponsoring a companion bill in the Senate.
