Governor Bill Walker signed the bill into law today that makes Naloxone available over Alaskan drugstore counters, along with removing civil liabilities from anyone who administers the anti-overdose drug.
Juneau Representative Cathy Munoz was one of the bill’s 37 co-sponsors…
Rep. Munoz (R-District 34): “It was one of the few bills that was allowed to continue given the recent decision by the Speaker of the House to pull all issues off the calendar that are not related to the budget.”
Alaska has seen a sharp increase in heroin related activities in recent years and just last year 76 Alaskans were documented as dying as a result of overdosing on opioids, including heroin.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Naloxone prevented over eight thousand heroin overdose deaths in 2013.
Governor Walker said in a release that Senate Bill 23 has no fiscal impact for the state.
Studies have shown that most overdoses are witnessed and the window where overdoses can be reversed is anywhere from one to three hours.
Senator Johnny Ellis of Anchorage sponsored SB 23, which followed the passage of House Bill 369 in 2014, known as the “Make the Call” Good Samaritan Bill. That law offers restriction from prosecution for those who seek medical help when someone they know is experiencing an overdose.
