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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The combination of an opioid overdose crisis and
3COVID-19 has created a situation in Illinois where epidemic
4meets pandemic; and
 
5    WHEREAS, A stay-at-home order has created a lack of
6physical access to addiction support and harm reduction groups
7during the COVID-19 epidemic; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Those unfortunate circumstances increase the risk
9of overdose deaths in Illinois; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Social isolation is an additional mental health
11and physical burden on people with substance abuse issues; and
 
12    WHEREAS, During this time, there is a lack of healthcare
13capacity as hospitals focus their priorities and resources on
14treating thousands of COVID-19 patients; and
 
15    WHEREAS, In addition, patients have limited availability
16to see their doctors during COVID-19; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Currently, counties in Illinois are seeing a
18significant increase in overdose deaths; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Many states are taking action to increase access
2to naloxone; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Co-prescription of naloxone with high dose opioid
4prescriptions has been approved in nine states, resulting in a
5decrease in overdose deaths; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
7ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Department
8of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Department of Human
9Services (IDHS), and all other relevant agencies and boards are
10urged to examine the rise in opioid overdoses due to COVID-19;
11and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That the IDPH, the IDHS, and all other relevant
13agencies and boards are urged to propose changes to
14prescription rules to include co-prescription of opioid
15antagonists such as naloxone to high risk groups as defined by
16current CDC guidelines to increase access to naloxone; and be
17it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That the State of Illinois is urged to approve
19rules, policies, and legislation that would increase access to
20naloxone and save the lives of those most at risk to overdose
21during COVID-19.