Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Nobody Wants To Touch A Pregnant Woman With An Addiction Issue'
Amanda Hensley started abusing prescription painkillers when she was just a teenager. For years, she managed to function and hold down jobs. She even quit opioids for a while when she was pregnant with her now 4-year-old son. But she relapsed. Hensley says she preferred drugs like Percocet and morphine, but opted for heroin when short on cash. By the time she discovered she was pregnant last year, she couldn't quit. (Tribble, 3/30)
Meanwhile, a new Florida law allows pharmacists to prescribe anti-overdose medication and police officers in New Hampshire fight against a law that would allow people to drop off heroin and other illegal drugs at stations —
You can now obtain naloxone, a medicine that reverses heroin overdose, from pharmacies without a doctor's prescription, thanks to a bill that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law on Friday. "Expanded naloxone pharmacy access is good public health policy that will save lives," said Dr. Kevin Sherin, director of Orange County health department. "I commend the governor and the Legislature for acting quickly." (Miller, 3/27)
Law enforcement officials are pushing back against a bill that allows people to drop off illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, and drug paraphernalia at police stations. Currently police stations accept unused prescription drugs in designed drop boxes. (Sutherland, 3/29)
