A legislative measure to help curb the number of heroin-related deaths in Illinois was approved by the Senate on April 14, thanks to the work of State Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton). 

“NARCAN has saved 43 lives in DuPage County in the past year, and this is a tool that can help us reduce the number of heroin-related fatalities statewide,” Connelly said. “I would like to extend my appreciation to the DuPage Coroner and State’s Attorney offices for their leadership on this life-saving measure.” 

Senate Bill 73 would allow school nursing personnel to administer the life-saving NARCAN antidote to prevent drug overdoses. 

To date, the DuPage NARCAN effort has trained 35 departments and nearly 1,900 law enforcement officers. The program is the first county-wide application of NARCAN in the state and is a model for the nation. 

Senate Bill 73 is loosely based on Public Act 98-0795, which allows school personnel to administer “epi-pens,” which help reverse anaphylactic shock. The legislation would make school districts and authorized personnel immune from civil liabilities, if NARCAN is administered in “good faith.”  

Senate Bill 73 passed the Senate with a unanimous 54-0-0 vote.