STATEHOUSE (March 21, 2016) – Today, Gov. Mike Pence signed legislation sponsored by State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) to help combat drug abuse.

Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 187 could help reduce fatal drug overdoses by permitting pharmacies to sell overdose intervention drugs, like Narcan, over-the-counter without a prescription. Narcan is a safe, non-addictive medication that reverses the effects of drug overdoses. This law requires pharmacies and emergency ambulance services to submit to the Indiana State Department of Health an annual report of the dates and number of times the drug is sold and administered.

“Unfortunately, Indiana is in the middle of a drug epidemic,” McNamara said. “Hoosiers are dying from heroin and prescription pain pill overdoses. It is crucial that we allow Hoosiers to easily purchase this life-saving medicine, so that in the event of an overdose, they can act quickly and hopefully save a life.”

Also signed into law today was SEA 271, which develops the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse (ICCDA), and requires the commission to identify ways for state agencies and local programs to coordinate and create a comprehensive plan to address substance abuse through treatment, prevention and law enforcement. McNamara said the 18-member ICCDA is being formed at the request of Pence, and would be a long-standing governing body solely dedicated to addressing drug abuse in Indiana.

“In order to respond to the state’s drug crisis, we must continue coordinating state and local efforts,” McNamara said. “It is important that we strengthen our stance against drugs in our communities in order to reduce crime and fight addiction in Indiana.”

Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these laws.

By Jessica Baker