PENNSYLVANIA (WBNG) — The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) introduced a new resource to Pennsylvania courts on Friday, March 20, entitled Narcan in Courts.
According to information from DDAP, the new initiative intends to expand statewide access to naloxone, a lifesaving overdose drug, in judicial buildings and courthouses across the Commonwealth, in the event a person experiences an overdose.
“The courts are not immune to the tragic impact of substance use disorder on Pennsylvania families,” said Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd. “Our shared focus in this effort is a testament to our broader commitment to the health and safety of everyone who enters our courthouses and magisterial district judge court facilities and to working with our government partners to respond to the challenges facing our communities.”
The program’s goal is to place one Narcan kit in each of the 512 magisterial district judge courts and all 67 county courthouses for on-site emergency use. They will be placed in locations near or similar to those that house automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) will also provide instructions, educational materials and information about training videos at each location.
The naloxone for the initiative is funded and supplied through DDAP’s Overdose Prevention Program, which provides free, life-saving supplies to Pennsylvania communities through local overdose prevention partners.
DDAP is providing 600 Narcan kits to AOPC, which are equivalent to approximately 1,200 individual doses of Narcan nasal spray.
“Through our collaboration with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Pennsylvania courts will have increased access to Narcan, which when administered in the critical moments of a suspected overdose, could mean the difference between life and death.” Todd said.
Visit DDAP’s website for more information on the Narcan in Courts initiative and its resources.
All DDAP overdose prevention partners can be found by clicking here.
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