Lawmakers honored for overdose death prevention law work

AUGUSTA — Reps. Sara Gideon and Ann Dorney were recently honored as this year’s Harm Reduction Heroes for their work to expand access to Naloxone and other efforts to improve the health and well-being of Mainers with substance addiction issues.

Gideon, D-Freeport, and Dorney, D-Norridgewock, were presented awards at the second annual Maine Harm Reduction Conference at Kaplan University.

Under a new law proposed by Gideon, first-responders and family members of drug users will be able to carry and administer Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan. Dorney was a co-sponsor of the bill and was the lead sponsor of a separate Naloxone bill last year.

The Maine Harm Reduction Conference is an opportunity for medical, social service, public health providers, advocates and community members to connect and learn about harm reduction approaches to addiction.