Naloxone (also known by its trade name, Narcan) saves lives by temporarily reversing opioid overdoses. The Food and Drug Administration approved this prescription medication in 1971; since then, its safety and effectiveness have been proven time and again.

Making naloxone available to people who might be present at an overdose is one of the best practices that the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommends in the recently released “Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit.”

But naloxone saves lives only if it is available when and where it is needed. Because family members and friends are often present when an overdose occurs, it is critical that they have naloxone ready to use. This is especially true in rural areas, where emergency responders can take many precious minutes to arrive at the scene.

Despite all of our hard work and good intentions in Maine to develop local naloxone distribution programs and change our laws, Mainers continue to die from opioid overdoses.

L.D. 1547, “An Act to Increase Access to the Lifesaving Overdose Antidote Naloxone Hydrochloride,” provides a way to make naloxone available at pharmacies for people who need it. Passage of this bill would be a significant milestone in Maine’s efforts to reduce drug overdose deaths.

This is not a partisan issue. States with liberal governors like Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island and conservative governors like Chris Christie of New Jersey have passed similar legislation. Maine can do the same.

The Legislature has considered naloxone access bills since 2012. Since then, 819 Mainers have died from a drug overdose. In the coming weeks, the Legislature and governor have another opportunity to do something to stop this tidal wave of deaths.

It’s time. Now. If you agree, please contact your legislators and request a “yes” vote on L.D. 1547.

Alison Jones Webb

Portland