U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and state Rep. Theresa Conroy (D‑Seymour) hosted a roundtable discussion on the rise of heroin and opioid abuse in the Valley.
The frank conversation with law enforcement, health care professionals, local officials and other on-the-ground experts was held July 29 at the Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC) in Ansonia.
There were more than 700 overdose-related deaths in Connecticut in 2015 and the numbers of deaths have been climbing significantly each year.
“I am a state representative and also an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse – I am a prescriber. Over the course of my healthcare career I have witnessed the explosion of opioids as the primary treatment for pain – even moderate pain,” Rep. Conroy said in a prepared statement.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has projected more than 830 overdose deaths for 2016.
The state legislature has expanded “Good Samaritan” protections to anyone administering an overdose reversal drug, like Narcan, to someone experiencing an overdose. The state has also expanded Narcan availability and limited first-time opioid prescriptions to seven days.
In related news, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) on Wednesday (Aug. 10) will release a new public-policy toolkit for local and state leaders on how local leaders can combat drug abuse in their communities.
“The new public-policy toolkit will show how municipal leaders can lead the fight locally on an issue that is complex, and solution is not singular; and is one that reaches out from the municipal CEO to first responders and those within our schools, parks and recreation and other local service providers,” the organization said in a prepared statement.
