Rep. O’Dea Co-Sponsors Legislation to Combat Opioid Crisis

Bill Would Implement Pilot Peer Navigator Program

HARTFORD – State Representative Tom O’Dea (R-125) co-sponsored and voted in favor of HB 5430 – An Act Concerning Opioids. This bill would update existing laws affecting opioid abuse, prevention, and treatment.

Among the changes in the bill are allowing for mobile treatment programs, adding more non-opioid treatments to the list of options practitioners must provide their patients, and amends the definition of “drug paraphernalia” to allow individuals to use fentanyl test strips.

Republicans offered an amendment – which received unanimous support – that would implement a peer navigator program to assist those in recovery. Peer navigators are individuals experienced in working with people with substance use disorder and offer supplemental nonmedical services working in partnership with care providers.

The pilot program would be offered in up to five rural, suburban, or urban communities. The chosen communities will set up two-person teams to increase engagement between healthcare, social services and treatment providers and persons with opioid use disorder. Those teams will work to “address the emerging local conditions that affect such social determinants of health, and increase the capacity of the community to support such persons by identifying and addressing systemic barriers to treatment services, health care, social services and social support of such persons.”

“The opioid crisis is one which has ravaged communities across our state and ruined countless lives,” Rep. O’Dea said. “It was incredibly pertinent and necessary for the legislature to take these steps which prioritize and enhance public health in our communities. The provisions included in this legislation will provide an invaluable service to this vulnerable population affected by this crisis.”

In written testimony in support of the legislation, Department of Public Health Commissioner Manish Juthani noted, “The number of people who are injured or have died from an opioid-involved overdose in Connecticut has risen each year since 2012. Data show that the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this increase. With these proposed measures in place, Connecticut will be mirroring federal laws, enhancing prevention of accidental overdose, and promoting access to treatment services, thereby saving lives.”

The legislation received unanimous support in the House of Representatives and awaits further action in the State Senate. More information and bill tracking can be accessed using the General Assembly website at www.cga.ct.gov.

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