KTVZ - Oregon House passes Opioid Harm Reduction Package
Written by KTVZ news sources, 3/6/23
“SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — House Bill 2395, the Opioid Harm Reduction Package, passed out of the Oregon House Monday with bipartisan support. Introduced and championed by Representative Maxine Dexter (D-Portland), the bill breaks down barriers to harm reduction tools in response to the opioid and illicit fentanyl crisis gripping Oregon’s communities, according to a news release from Oregon House Democrats, which continues below.
In 2021 over 745 Oregonians died from opioid overdoses, and nearly three Oregonians a day die from this tragic and growing epidemic across the entire state.
House Bill 2395 makes lifesaving emergency treatments, like naloxone kits, more available in public buildings, such as restaurants, grocery stores, police departments, and schools. When administered, naloxone can restore breathing and reverse an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids.
‘Naloxone is extremely safe and effective and will help us save hundreds of lives. Even if you do not have opioids in your body, there’s no side effect or danger,” said Representative Dexter, a board-certified pulmonary and critical care physician. “Our responsibility as elected leaders is to ensure the health and safety of Oregonians. With this bill we are building the infrastructure to respond to this crisis and giving Oregonians struggling with addiction a chance to receive treatment.’”
