HR0852 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0852 LRB101 21491 MST 72185 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The combination of an opioid overdose crisis and COVID-19 has created a situation in Illinois where epidemic meets pandemic; and

WHEREAS, A stay-at-home order has created a lack of physical access to addiction support and harm reduction groups during the COVID-19 epidemic; and

WHEREAS, Those unfortunate circumstances increase the risk of overdose deaths in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Social isolation is an additional mental health and physical burden on people with substance abuse issues; and

WHEREAS, During this time, there is a lack of healthcare capacity as hospitals focus their priorities and resources on treating thousands of COVID-19 patients; and

WHEREAS, In addition, patients have limited availability to see their doctors during COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, Currently, counties in Illinois are seeing a significant increase in overdose deaths; and

WHEREAS, Many states are taking action to increase access to naloxone; and

WHEREAS, Co-prescription of naloxone with high dose opioid prescriptions has been approved in nine states, resulting in a decrease in overdose deaths; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and all other relevant agencies and boards are urged to examine the rise in opioid overdoses due to COVID-19; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the IDPH, the IDHS, and all other relevant agencies and boards are urged to propose changes to prescription rules to include co-prescription of opioid antagonists such as naloxone to high risk groups as defined by current CDC guidelines to increase access to naloxone; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State of Illinois is urged to approve rules, policies, and legislation that would increase access to naloxone and save the lives of those most at risk to overdose during COVID-19.