Senate Bill 272 is making its way through the West Virginia Legislature, requiring pharmacists, health care providers and hospitals to report suspected or confirmed drug overdoses, and other drug related instances, to the Office of Drug Control Policy.
The bill also permits counties experiencing drug overdoses at rates higher than the national average to establish certain community-based recognition and response efforts, and seek federal and private funding to implement those efforts.
Senate Bill 272 requires all first responders, regardless of frequency of drug overdoses in their communities, to carry Naloxone and be trained in its use.
The bill was introduced at the request of Governor Jim Justice.
