Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2014



Washington, DC – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) issued the following statement regarding the introduction of the Overdose Prevention Act by Senator Jack Reed (RI-D), the companion legislation to Rep. Edwards’ Stop Overdose Stat (S.O.S.) Act, H.R. 4169.  Both bills aim to decrease the rate of drug overdose deaths by improving access to naloxone, a drug that counters the effects of an opioid overdose. They would also encourage the implementation of overdose prevention programs, improve surveillance of overdose occurrences, and establish a coordinated federal plan of action to address the epidemic.

“Earlier this year, I reintroduced the Stop Overdose Stat (S.O.S) Act to help support community-based efforts and increase the availability of naloxone to help prevent fatal drug overdoses.  Nationwide, we are seeing an increase in the overdose epidemic, and the traumatic toll it is taking on families, friends, and local communities.  I thank Sen. Jack Reed (RI-D) for his introduction of the Overdose Prevention Act in the Senate, making this a bicameral effort.  With this legislation, we have an opportunity to make a real difference in treating and preventing overdose, and ultimately saving lives.  I hope that we can act on this legislation immediately.”

The S.O.S. Act would provide federal support for overdose prevention programs run by community agencies and municipal, state and tribal governments.  Overdose prevention programs train people who may witness an overdose, such as a person who knows a family member or loved one who misuses drugs, on how to recognize the signs of an overdose, seek emergency medical help, and administer naloxone and other first aid. Naloxone is a medication that quickly reverses an overdose from heroin and opioid pain medications. The use of naloxone as an overdose reversal medication has recently been profiled in USA Today, The Washington Post, CNN and other media outlets.

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