Fran Pavley
The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 7-0 Tuesday to approve a bill by Senator Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, that would put a life-saving antidote into the hands of first responders to prevent drug overdose deaths.
Senate Bill 1438 would ensure that firefighters, police officers and other first responders are equipped with naloxone, an antidote that can reverse prescription painkiller and heroin overdoses. The bill would require that naloxone be carried by all first responders with basic emergency medical certification, such as firefighters and lifeguards. It would authorize, but not require the antidote to be carried by police and other law enforcement officers.
“Prescription painkiller abuse afflicts people of all ages and backgrounds,” Senator Pavley said. “Making naloxone available to law enforcement can prevent needless deaths and give victims a second chance to seek treatment and break their addiction.”
Drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, killing about 38,000 people per year (4,200 in California). In March, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called opioid overdose deaths an “urgent public health crisis” and urged law enforcement agencies to train and equip personnel with naloxone. At least 17 states have adopted measures to increase access to naloxone and least six have either passed or have pending legislation that explicitly authorizes first responders to carry and administer naloxone.
SB 1438 is sponsored by the California Professional Firefighters and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and supported by the California State Sheriffs’ Association.
“Law enforcement’s number one priority is to be able to save lives, and this is going to save lives the first week we put it into place,” said Captain James Bovet of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
“As a trained EMT, an off-duty firefighter can administer naloxone, but in many California counties, they could be disciplined if they administered it while on duty because it’s not part of their ‘scope of practice,’” said Lou Paulson, president of California Professional Firefighters. “This makes no sense. SB 1438 closes this loophole, ensuring that patients can get the critical treatment they need.”
The bill will be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee before it can move to the Assembly Floor.
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Thank God