New Overdose Prevention Law in Illinois
Drug overdose is recognized as a significant problem in Illinois. The Public Act 096-0361 (20 ILCS 301/5-23 new) took effect on January 1, 2010, and making it legal in Illinois for non-medical persons to administer naloxone to another individual in order to prevent an opioid/heroin overdose from becoming fatal.
Extract:
A person who is not otherwise licensed to administer an opioid antidote may in an emergency administer without fee an opioid antidote if the person has received the patient information specified in paragraph (4) of this subsection and believes in good faith that another person is experiencing a drug overdose. The person shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, be liable for any violation of the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, the Nurse Practice Act, the Pharmacy Practice Act, or any other professional licensing statute, or subject to any criminal prosecution arising from or related to the unauthorized practice of medicine or the possession of an opioid antidote.
