Governor seeks more funding for naloxone
Gov. Tom Wolf is calling on Pennsylvania legislators to approve an additional $10 million in funding to combat the opioid crisis, even in the midst of a budget shortfall, in order to supply first responders with naloxone.
“What we’re doing here, what I hope the General Assembly allows us to do in the budget, this $10 million will help local responders all across Pennsylvania begin the process of helping people who suffer from substance abuse disorder,” Wolf said on Jan. 31.
The governor’s prioritization of funding for the anti-overdose drug was applauded by Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who appeared at the press conference to emphasize the impact overdoses
are having in the Commonwealth.
“Even facing that budget deficit, as he gets prepared to put his budget forward and put out his statement of principles, he’s saying that one principle that matters an incredible amount to him, and maybe matters more than others, is dealing with this heroin and opioid crisis,” Shapiro said.
The funding would go to arming law enforcement officials and emergency medical personnel with naloxone. Already, a majority of police departments in Montgomery County, as well as state police, are equipped with the drug. Wolf said that 2,300 lives have been saved because of it.
Charles Ramsey, former commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department, who now serves as the chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, said that he has seen the heroin and opioid crisis gripping areas in Pennsylvania and across the country, causing overdoses and taking lives.
“Seconds matter. And oftentimes, police are the very first responders to arrive. We don’t have time to wait for an ambulance; we don’t have time to wait for anything,” Ramsey said. “We need to be able to administer this as quickly as possible to a person so they can survive.”
Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh brought the issue close to home, discussing the widespread impact opioid addiction has had on the county.
“As a physician, I have seen firsthand the devas- tation caused by addiction. As a county commissioner, I am committed to ensuring that Montgomery County takes the lead in this fight, that we reduce the stigma associated with addiction and help those who are suffering. No community is immune; no family is immune. We are seeing it in the suburbs. We are seeing it in rural areas,” Arkoosh said.
Because of the diverse demographic impacted by the crisis, Wolf said he believes both side of the aisle in Harrisburg will support his request for more funding, despite an expected battle of the state’s budget deficit.
“We have a very big budget deficit, but that gives us the chance, I think the Majority Leader of the House said a few weeks ago, to reimagine government, not to cut it but to make it do what it needs to do better,” Wolf said.