AUGUSTA, Maine - Drug policy advocates are hailing a new law that increases access to a medication that reverses the often deadly effects of opioid overdoses.
Maine already allows first responders, law enforcement and family members to administer naloxone, often marketed as Narcan. Kenney Miller, co-founding member of the Maine Harm Reduction Alliance, says the new law extends that to people who might witness an overdose and who may themselves be addicts.
"By equipping people who have substance abuse issues with Narcan we make sure it's on the scene when somebody overdoses," Miller says.
Miller says the new measure is designed to increase access to the medication through standing orders issued by physicians as well as through programs that work with people with addiction issues.
Opponents have argued that allowing untrained friends of a drug user to administer the drug could lead to greater drug abuse.
The new law is among the 51 measures that became law without the governor's signature Sunday.
