I. RECOMMENDATION:
There is no staff recommendation. This item was requested as a future agenda item by Councilwoman Stolz.
II. BACKGROUND:
Civil Code 1714.22 was approved by the Governor on October 10, 2013. that code allowed Physicians to prescribe Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan) to a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of an opioid-related overdose. That person would have to apply with a standing order with the California Department of Health and complete a training program before they can be issued the Narcan by a licensed pharmacist. This Code was originally set to be repealed on January 1, 2016. Assembly Bill 635 was later written and deleted the repeal date.
Since the creation of this code, different Law Enforcement agencies have been issuing / allowing their officers to carry Narcan to help with their opioid overdose issues. K-9 officers have also been carrying this in their emergency kits in case the canine is exposed to opioids to help prevent overdoes incidents with the canine.
III. DISCUSSION:
In order to obtain Narcan for the police department, the application for a standing order through the California Department of Health would need to be completed. Once approved, who ever will be carrying the Narcan, would need to either complete an “Opioid overdose prevention and treatment training program” (which is recommended) or be instructed on its use when being issued it by a licensed Health Care Provider.
If it was to be administered by an officer, Civil Code Section 1714.22(f) protects the person administering the Narcan from any civil liability or criminal prosecution as long as they have had the proper training required in section 1714.22(d).
Narcan has a shelf life of anywhere between 18 and 24 months, depending on the environment. It should be stored in the dark, in temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended on some sites that the Narcan can be kept in the cab of a vehicle, but with the temperatures that we experience here, the inner-cab temperature can often exceed the recommended storage temperature, thus wasting the Narcan and any replacement costs.
The cost of the Narcan varies anywhere from about $20 - $60 per dose, depending on the type delivery system (Injection or Nasal). The Naloxone Distribution Project has a program where Law Enforcement can apply for free doses of Narcan. There are other grant programs out there that may help with the cost. Some of the grants do base the issuance of the grant based on the number of overdoses the agencies have had. Another option is to see about partnering up with a local health care provider to see if the costs to the department can be cut down or even eliminated.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
None.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
At this time, it is unknown. This will be an unbudgeted expense to the City's General Fund. |