Gallego, Nunn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Distribution of Opioid Overdose Reversal Drugs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) today introduced the bipartisan Overdose Reversal Medication Act, legislation to increase the distribution of opioid overdose reversal drugs to the public.
“Arizona’s fentanyl crisis has touched every community across our state. The deadly drug is tearing our community apart, and Congress must do all we can to save lives,” said Rep. Gallego. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce our bipartisan bill to ensure Arizona’s businesses are equipped to provide the lifesaving care needed in the event of an overdose. It shouldn’t have to be this way, and that’s why I won’t stop pushing for solutions until we end the fentanyl epidemic.”
“The fentanyl crisis is impacting Iowans in every neighborhood,” said Rep. Nunn. “We can and must save lives from overdoses. Expanding access to reversal medication is critical to ensure life saving care is available in the event of an overdose.”
Specifically, the Overdose Reversal Medication Act would:
- Direct Occupational Safety and Health Administration to publish a standard requiring employers to maintain opioid overdose reversal medication onsite and provide their employees training on how to administer it and recognize overdose signs/symptoms.
- Expand the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program with a grant specifically targeting local businesses, individuals, and community entities that do not qualify for substance abuse-related grant programs. This grant can be used to acquire opioid overdose reversal medication and provide training on administering it.
Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.
In workplaces, unintentional drug overdoses, including from fentanyl, led to 464 occupational deaths in 2021, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That’s 9 percent of the year’s 5,190 on-the-job fatalities and more than a 20 percent increase from the previous year. Transportation, warehousing, and construction workers accounted for 42% of the deaths.
Opioid Overdose Reversal drugs, like Narcan, are easy-to-use, lifesaving medications that drastically increase the chances of an individual surviving an overdose. The FDA’s recent approval of the over-the-counter Narcan makes it more accessible than ever before. It’s simple: this medication saves lives and should be made available across our communities.
In September, Rep. Gallego held a press conference with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to discuss Arizona’s fentanyl crisis.
In May, Rep. Gallego introduced The Buck Stops Here Act to combat money laundering efforts connected to illicit fentanyl trafficking by authorizing the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to designate financial institutions, transaction classes, or accounts as primary money laundering concerns in connection to illicit fentanyl trafficking. The language from his bill was included in the Senate-passed version of the fiscal year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
As a House Armed Services Committee leader, Rep. Gallego secured two House NDAA provisions to examine the Defense Department’s role in helping end the epidemic.
In August, Rep. Gallego joined Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) to introduce the Fentanyl Crisis Research and Evaluation Act. This legislation requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress on how the fentanyl crisis is affecting various sectors of our society to understand its implications on American taxpayers.
Rep. Gallego also backs the Test Strip Access Act to boost the amount of federal funding available to states and Tribes to purchase fentanyl testing strips.