Rep. Marra Continues Push for Increased Narcan Access

Continuing her efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and provide more access to resources that can save lives, State Representative Tracy Marra (R-141) today joined colleagues and advocates to call attention to the need for easier access to safe, legal opioid antagonist medicines.

“I’m encouraged that so many local pharmacies are putting these important life-saving medicines on prominent display and are working to educate the public about their use and effectiveness,” Rep. Marra, a trained pharmacist said. “Unfortunately, there is still work to do to make sure every Connecticut resident knows these medicines are available, how safe and simple they are to use, and that by having them easily accessible we all have the ability to save a life.”

Rep. Marra has been a staunch advocate for increased access to prevent overdose tragedies in the state and in 2023 spearheaded legislation in Public Act 23-52 to allow certain over-the-counter medications, including opioid antagonists, to be available in vending machines.

Today, she joined advocates from Liberation Programs Inc., and the Statewide Harm Reduction Partnership (SHaRP) for the release of a report entitled ‘The Availability of Over-the-Counter Naloxone in Connecticut,’ which highlights the accessibility of Naloxone, also known as Narcan, in pharmacies across the state. The report was coauthored by Peter Canning, paramedic and EMS coordinator at UConn, who worked with 22 volunteers to survey 162 pharmacies “to better understand how over-the-counter availability impacted access.”

The study showed that improvements can be made in the accessibility of Narcan in our pharmacies, highlighting its availability.

“Pharmacists want to help people with addiction, and they want to be able to counsel people on how to properly use Narcan. They are our first line healthcare workers and it is imperative that we assist with their training and allow them to work directly with the people they should be helping.  I strongly support increased access to Narcan,” Rep. Marra said.

For more information about SHaRP, please go to: https://www.facebook.com/liberationprograms/