Thanks to extensive advocacy from ACEP’s Ohio chapter, Ohio passed a new law aiming to prevent overdose deaths.
Ohio Senate Bill 137 will expand access to overdose reversal medication by requiring hospitals to provide naloxone upon discharge of a patient with one or more symptoms of an opioid overdose or opioid use disorder (OUD).
The initiative was championed by the Naloxone Project (led by Dr. Jim Neuenschwander and Dr. Jason Kolb) and supported by Ohio ACEP. Ohio ACEP Past Presidents Dr. Michael McCrea and Dr. Ryan Squier testified in support of the bill.
“Placing naloxone in the hands of at-risk patients upon discharge removes the current barriers to treatment and improves chances of seeking recovery.”
-Dr. Michael McCrea
ACEP is proud to work with advocates across the country and lead the charge to reduce barriers to OUD treatment in the emergency department.
