The takes effect in January. Hospitals, detox facilities and clinics that treat opioid use disorders will need to supply patients with at least two doses of Narcan or an equivalent drug upon release. These medications can temporarily restore breathing during an opioid overdose.
鈥淚f someone does re-use or does overdose, I always say there鈥檚 no recovery in death,鈥� said Rep. Emerson Levy, D-Bend, who co-sponsored the legislation. 鈥淲hat Narcan does is give people one more day 鈥� one more day to make a different choice.鈥�
The bill passed earlier this year with bipartisan 鈥� though not unanimous 鈥� support. Levy said it鈥檚 just one part of the ongoing struggle against the state鈥檚 fentanyl and opioid crises.
鈥淭his touches everyone in Oregon and in our country,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y deepest hope is that we鈥檙e not always judged by our worst day or worst decision.鈥�
The requirement won鈥檛 apply when patients get transferred to another facility or leave against physician advice. Additionally, providers are legally protected if they fail to meet the requirement while acting in good faith.
According to the bill, the Oregon Health Authority will facilitate access to the medication. Jonathan Modie, a spokesperson for the agency, clarified by email that this doesn鈥檛 mean funding or reimbursement.
鈥淭he OHA 鈥� both the Health Systems Division and Public Health Division 鈥� have engaged with the Board of Pharmacy on several occasions to make sure there are no technical barriers to facilities doing this work,鈥� Modie told KLCC.
Over-the-counter, Narcan costs about $45 for two doses.
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