Governor Hassan's Statement on Signing on HB 271

Press Release

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement after today signing into law HB 271, relative to possession and administration of an opioid antagonist for opioid-related overdoses:

"The rising rate of heroin and opioid overdoses is one of the most pressing public health and safety challenges facing our state, and while we work to strengthen our prevention and treatment efforts through measures like our bipartisan health care expansion plan, we must also do everything that we can to save lives when an overdose takes place. Last year, we had more than 300 overdose deaths in New Hampshire - an unprecedented number - with the majority coming from heroin or other opioids. We have already increased the safe and effective use of Narcan by our first responders and law enforcement officials, and House Bill 271 will help us save more lives by allowing doctors to prescribe Narcan to the families and loved ones of those at risk of an overdose. I thank Representative Bouldin and legislators from both parties for their commitment to combating the rising rate of heroin and opioid overdoses, and I am glad to sign this bipartisan, life-saving measure into law."

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