Florida passes naloxone law

Alcohol and drug addiction organizations praised the passage of a new Florida law that will increase access to naloxone, which immediately reverses the effects of opioids in the event of an overdose.

This week, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the Emergency Treatment for Opioid Overdose Act into law, joining 29 other states and the District of Columbia that have similar laws in place. The law permits all first responders to possess, store, and administer naloxone. It also allows a person acting under a standing order, issued by a healthcare professional who is otherwise authorized to prescribe an opioid antagonist, to store the opioid antagonist, according to state Senator Greg Evers (R-Pensacola).

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“Shatterproof commends Governor Rick Scott for demonstrating his commitment to increase access to the life-saving medication, naloxone, for first responders and those who need it by signing the [Act] into law today,” said Gary Mendell, founder of Shatterproof: Stronger Than Addiction, a national organization committed to protecting children from addiction to alcohol or other drugs. “Thanks to this new law, victims of addiction will have a second chance at life.”

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Florida ranks 11^th in drug overdose mortality in the United States. Naloxone is an FDA-approved, non-addictive medication that has saved more than 10,000 lives in the United States over 10 years, according to Shatterproof: Stronger than Addiction.

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