Guest AuthorOur country faces an epidemic.
On average, 308 people die every week from prescription opioid pain medications, the vast majority unintentional.
Over the past five years, more Americans died from prescription opioid overdose than during the entire Vietnam War. Sadly, our state is not immune from this epidemic. Drug poisoning, has surpassed car accidents as the No. 1 cause of accidental death in Florida.
When faced with such an emergency, it’s important that lawmakers, industry, the medical community and advocacy groups work together to find solutions. I’m proud to say Florida recently showed what we can do when we pull together to solve a problem.
In June, Gov. Rick Scott signed the “Emergency Treatment and Recovery Act” into law. I was proud to sponsor this legislation that makes it easier for physicians to prescribe naloxone and for patients to access this potentially life-saving drug. The law allows family, friends and caregivers of those at risk of a potential opioid overdose to obtain their own prescription for naloxone from their physician.
What is the drug? Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means it’s an antidote that helps restore breathing slowed or stopped because of an opioid emergency, such as an overdose, from prescription pain medications or heroin. Studies have shown most opioid emergencies occur in the home, witnessed by family or friends who are likely in the best position to intervene quickly.
When an opioid emergency occurs, seconds count. Without intervention, severe medical issues may occur because lack of oxygen can lead to brain injury in as little as four minutes, but the average national response time for emergency medical services is 9.4 minutes. Having naloxone in the home will allow friends, family members and caregivers to administer the drug immediately. The new law ensures those who most need access to naloxone will be able to get it.
Opioids remain an important cornerstone for relieving chronic pain. However, the risks of an opioid emergency, such as an accidental overdose can be difficult to control, even in patients who do their best to take their medications properly. Sometimes, the victim of an accidental overdose didn’t even intentionally take a prescription opioid.
On average, about 3,300 children age 0-5 are admitted to emergency rooms each year because of accidental opioid exposure. As a result of this new law, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight will receive 800 auto-injectors of Naloxone to be used by officers in the field. I’m thrilled to see the legislation enacted and implemented quickly to reduce overdoses in our community.
I’m proud we’ve taken a major step to combat the opioid overdose epidemic in Florida. Patients prescribed such opioid pain medications, and the family members and friends who care about them, now have access to a prescription for this potentially life saving medication.
Republican state Rep. Julio Gonzalez is an orthopedic surgeon and represents House District 74 in southwest Florida, and serves on, among others, the House Health Quality Subcommittee. He lives in Venice.
