Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jan 2015
Source: Pocono Record, The (Stroudsburg, PA)
Copyright: 2015 Pocono Mountains Media Group
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/PEKmDRjJ
Website: http://www.poconorecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4529
Author: Stacy M. Brown

NEW PA. LAW OFFERS TOOL TO STOP DRUG OVERDOSES

Law allows anti-opioid medication

More Pennsylvanians die from drug overdoses than from any other type
of injury, including car accidents.

The Keystone State also ranks 14th highest in drug overdose mortality
rates, according to information from the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

So when former Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law late last year a bill
that allows first responders and loved ones to provide a lifesaving
opioid antagonist drug to those experiencing an overdose, the medical
community and others applauded.

"We definitely support this, and we believe we can prevent someone
from an overdose," said Richard Mroczka, the administrator and
executive director of the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Alcohol and Drug
Commission, whose mission is to provide prevention services, early
intervention and comprehensive drug treatment services to those in
need throughout the region.

"We're trying to get our first responders aware of everything they
need and, also, parents now have the opportunity to have the drug
readily available for those who might be abusing drugs and where the
possibility of an overdose exists," Mrockzka said. The law, known as
Act 139, took effect on Dec. 1.

It allows law enforcement officers, firefighters and all emergency
service workers to administer the drug Evzio, or naloxone, to those
experiencing an opioid overdose, including heroin, morphine, Vicodin
and other drugs.

Additionally, family members can receive a prescription for naloxone
and administer the drug where necessary.

Effective treatment

"Naloxone hydrochloride injections were approved by the Food and Drug
Administration in 2014 as an emergency treatment for opioid overdose,
and it's the first such treatment that can be administered by any
caregiver, even those without medical training," said Dr. Ronald
Strony, director of emergency medicine for Geisinger Wyoming Valley
Medical Center.

Despite the fact that opioid overdose is commonly associated with
illicit drug use, more than 60 percent of recorded overdose deaths
occur in patients who have an opioid prescription, Strony said.

Unintentional drug poisoning also has surpassed auto accidents as the
primary cause of accidental death in people 25 to 64 years old, he
said.

"Both at Geisinger and within the field of emergency medicine, we
commend our local legislators for approving the use of tools needed to
save more Pennsylvania lives and help get them on the track to
recovery," Strony said.

The law provides immunity from criminal or civil prosecutions for
those who respond to, report and administer the medication in an
opioid overdose.

Some say no

But not all were exactly thrilled with the new law. Monroe County
Sheriff Todd Martin said that despite his office being designated as a
first responder, they will not be participating.

"We would not have anyone in our office that would be qualified or
seek to become qualified under the law enforcement officer definition,
and the mere responsibilities of having to be responsible for the
care, custody and security of Evzio alone within a patrol vehicle
would be almost impossible and a true risk whenever any law
enforcement office would be required to abruptly exit their vehicle,
especially in case of an emergency, possibly leaving the vehicle
unsecured and therefore leaving the opportunity for the drugs to be
stolen," Martin said.

A law enforcement officer for more than 30 years, Martin said it's his
office's job to protect and serve its constituents and their
properties, but sheriff's deputies aren't called on to fight fires and
firefighters aren't called on to arrest criminals. "Just as paramedics
are not doctors or nurses and they too have specific limitations in
the emergency medical services," he said.

While sheriff personnel will continue to administer CPR, first aid and
AED as first responders, Martin said administering drugs isn't part of
the job description.

Some enthusiastic

Still, others said they're thrilled with the new law. "It's a fast,
simple, and relatively safe intervention that can save a life," said
paramedic Roy Smith, director of operations for Central Pocono
Ambulance in Tannersville, said in a letter to the Pocono Record.

"Evzio can be easily administered by someone with minimum training to
a patient who accidentally takes too much narcotic pain medication,
or, for example, a heroin user who overdoses. Opioids have potent and
sometimes fatal side effects such as respiratory depression. Naloxone
has been in use for many years, but now its availability is being
expanded in the hopes that more people with access to the drug will
result in more people being saved," Smith said.

The drug, which medical professionals said is a lifesaving medication,
can be used to reverse certain overdoses when given through an
injection or by a nasal spray.

The packaging, about the size of a cellphone, includes voice-recorded
instructions and two small doses of the medication, which can help
stabilize a patient until paramedics arrive.

"Many people are familiar with auto-injectors that are used to
administer epinephrine to patients experiencing a severe allergic
reaction," said Debbie Kulick, operations manager for Bushkill
Emergency Corps.

"Evzio can also be prescribed by a physician to patients who take a
narcotic pain medication, as well as those addicted to heroin or other
opioids, and kept on-hand and administered in an emergency," she said.

Pennsylvania has a problem

Smith said the medicine can be expensive, and although the
Pennsylvania Department of Health has teamed with emergency medical
service agencies to assist first responders to apply for free doses of
the drug, serious questions concerning its cost and the
responsibilities involved has stymied officials and front-line
personnel alike.

Smith said he's yet to receive much interest from letters he sent to
the Pocono Township Police Department and the Pocono and Jackson
township volunteer fire companies.

None of those departments responded to repeated requests from the
Pocono Record.

Still, Mrockzka said training for EMS/EMT workers and others are
available and for residents, a 15-minute online course is also available.

"Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has a problem," Dr. Bruce MacLeod,
president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society said in a statement.
"Prescription drug abuse is eating away at families," he said.

MacLeod added that both parts of the new law, including the Good
Samaritan immunity and the naloxone provisions, are good steps to
protect Pennsylvanians.

"Routinely in the emergency department, I see the pain and grief on
the faces of those left behind due to overdose deaths," he said. "Now
first responders, friends and family members will be able to provide
immediate help before a victim even reaches the hospital."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt