MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A bill which would give easier access to opioid antidotes, like narcan, has moved on to the South Carolina State Senate. The bill passed the House unanimously and now sits in the Committee on Medical Affairs.

Grand Strand Representative Russell Fry is one of the bill’s sponsors and says this is one of several bills aimed at curbing the opioid and heroin epidemics.

“The goal is to save lives and to get people into recovery,” said Fry. “So this bill allows approved community organizations to administer narcan, to give out narcan, to people who need it who are going through addiction.”

If passed, the bill would allow some community organizations, like those which provide addiction counseling or homeless services, to give out the medicine, which reverses the affects of an overdose.

Right now pharmacists in South Carolina can distribute narcan without a prescription but a state opioid committee said many people suffering from addiction are often unwilling or unable to buy it from a pharmacy.

“The idea is to make sure we can save lives in South Carolina and get people functioning again as members of society,” added Fry.

One of the groups which could benefit is FAVOR, or Faces and Voices of Recovery Grand Strand. It’s a local nonprofit which aims to connect people seeking recovery to resources they need. Chairman of FAVOR Grand Strand, Dr. Victor Archambeau, said he hopes the organization will be able to give out narcan.

“We really believe it should be readily accessible,” he added and acknowledged common misconceptions about the medicine.

“I’ve heard comments like, ‘Well if they know narcan’s available they’re more likely to overdose because they know someone can save them.’ The reality is heroin addicts don’t want narcan. It will put them immediately in full blown withdrawals.”

FAVOR has weekly meetings for anyone struggling with addiction and/or recovery. To find the dates and times go to favorgs.org.

Below is an excerpt from the bill explaining which organizations could qualify:

(2) ‘Community distributor’ means an organization, either public or private, which provides substance
use disorder assistance and services, such as counseling, homeless services, advocacy, harm reduction, alcohol and drug screening, and treatment to individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid-
related overdose.