Pubdate: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 Source: Washington Post (DC) Copyright: 2014 The Washington Post Company Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491 Author: Michael Botticelli Page: A16 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n760/a08.html PREVENTING OVERDOSE DEATHS Danielle Hall's story, as told in the Sept. 21 Metro article "The drug that turned a heroin user's life around," demonstrated the importance of training law enforcement officers, often the first responders to the scene of a drug overdose, to use naloxone. In my field, naloxone, the highly effective opioid overdose-reversal drug, is often referred to as a "miracle." The Obama administration is committed to expanding access to this miracle drug to police officers and other first-responders. With about 17,000 opioid-related drug deaths in 2011, more Americans are now dying from drug overdoses than from car crashes. Getting naloxone into the hands of anyone in a position to prevent the next overdose is my urgent priority. While en route to the hospital after first responders treated her, Ms. Hall was charged with possession of paraphernalia. The prospect of criminal or civil charges has a chilling effect on witnesses to an overdose and can mean the difference between life and death. Good Samaritan laws, which provide limited legal immunity to overdose witnesses and victims, should accompany naloxone to ensure that no legal barrier prevents an overdose witness from calling for help. By sharing Ms. Hall's story, The Post has shone a light on what it takes to prevent overdose deaths. Michael Botticelli, Washington The writer is acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom