Representative Frank Burns’ proposal aims to add consequences for those who are revived with Narcan. It would require them to seek treatment within 30 days, or face charges. 

 

He explained, “It’s insane for us to keep and constantly just put people back onto the streets without providing them with a solution to the root cause of their problem.”

 

Representative Burns says that law enforcement officials claimed they had been reviving the same people multiple times. He hopes that forcing those people into treatment will deter them from continuously overdosing. Judy Rosser from the Blair Drug and Alcohol Partnerships says that studies show that this type of incentive could work. 

 

She said, “Coarse treatment can be effective and actually help somebody stay engaged in treatment longer. And the outcomes nationally show the longer somebody is engaged in treatment, the better the outcomes are.”  

 

Rosser is encouraged that lawmakers are continuing the conversation around this crisis. However, there is concern that adding legal consequences could deter people from calling for help. 

 

She explained, “Anytime you start interrupting that process, you have a risk of reverting back to people being afraid of calling for help.”

 

Burns’ proposal also includes prohibiting doctors from prescribing opioids to children and teens from ages 11 to 16. He believes that prescription opioids are the root cause of early addiction.

 

He said, “If we can find alternative medicine and alternative ways to treat their pain at such an early age, we’ll all be much better off.”

 

Representative Burns has also written letters to Governor Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro asking them to file suit against pharmaceutical companies for their role in the opioid crisis. He believes these companies should have to help pay to get people treatment.