Fact Sheet

Naloxone Prescription Mandates

Fact SheetHarm Reduction Legal ProjectHarm Reduction Legal Project ResourcesOpioid Misuse and Overdose PreventionSubstance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction

October 22, 2020
by Amy Lieberman and Corey Davis

Drug overdose continues to claim the lives of tens of thousands of people in the U.S. every year. Opioids, both prescription painkillers and street drugs such as heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl, are responsible for the majority of these deaths. In response, states have passed legislation to increase access to the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone, including provisions that allow for the distribution of naloxone through pharmacies. Some states have gone further and now require that naloxone be prescribed or offered to some patients. This fact sheet describes those requirements and links to the relevant laws.

View page

Data Governance Strategies for States and Tribal Nations

Fact SheetHealth Information and Data SharingTribal Health

September 10, 2020
by Sallie Milam

The health and wellness of tribal nations depend on effective data collection and analysis. Despite being sovereign nations, tribes need help from the states in gathering the data needed to improve tribal health and well-being, but a lack of trust has interfered with data sharing arrangements. The keys to establishing and maintaining trust are respecting tribal data sovereignty and honoring the United States’ trust responsibility to tribal nations. This fact sheet focuses on strategies states should take to support indigenous data sovereignty.   

View page

Legal Requirements and Tools for Sharing Data with Police Departments to Prevent and Respond to Opioid Overdoses

Fact SheetFederal Privacy LawsSubstance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction

August 21, 2020
by Denise Chrysler and Sallie Milam

Some police departments in Michigan participate in the Families Against Narcotics Comeback Quick Response Team (FAN COMEBACK QRT). The purpose of this initiative is to collaborate across the community to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses. Partners include police departments, substance use treatment providers, recovery services, peer support services and community support services.

View page

Legality of Dispensing and Administering Expired Naloxone in Georgia

Fact SheetSubstance Use Prevention and Harm ReductionHarm Reduction Legal Project ResourcesHarm Reduction Legal ProjectOpioid Misuse and Overdose Prevention

June 4, 2020
by Amy Lieberman and Corey Davis

While states have passed various laws designed to increase access to naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, none explicitly address the legality of dispensing naloxone that is past its expiration date. This fact sheet discusses whether Georgia laws forbid the prescription, dispensing, distribution, possession, or administration of expired naloxone and whether such actions impact the risk of civil liability for medical professionals who prescribe or dispense naloxone or laypeople who distribute or administer it.

View page

Legality of Dispensing and Administering Expired Naloxone in the District of Columbia

Fact SheetSubstance Use Prevention and Harm ReductionHarm Reduction Legal Project ResourcesHarm Reduction Legal ProjectOpioid Misuse and Overdose Prevention

May 21, 2020
by Amy Lieberman and Corey Davis

This fact sheet discusses whether District of Columbia laws forbid the prescription, dispensing, distribution, possession, or administration of expired naloxone and whether such actions impact the risk of civil liability for medical professionals who prescribe or dispense naloxone or laypeople who distribute or administer it.

View page