State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, who is also an emergency room physician, showcased the ease and safety of naloxone administration during a live demonstration on the Illinois House floor Wednesday. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, is a critical tool in reversing opioid overdoses.
During his demonstration, Hauter invited State Rep. Amy Grant, R-Wheaton, to administer naloxone to him using a nasal spray. Despite having no prior training, Grant successfully delivered the dose, highlighting the simplicity of the process. Hauter remained unaffected, as naloxone only works if opioids are present in the body.
“This is a life-saving medication that is the cure and the antidote to respiratory depression from opioids,” Hauter explained. He emphasized that naloxone is completely safe for individuals without opioids in their system, likening it to taking a sugar pill.
In Illinois, naloxone is widely accessible. Pharmacies, schools, and opioid education programs can distribute the drug without requiring a prescription. Hauter called for naloxone to be treated as an essential emergency tool, comparable to CPR or automated external defibrillators (AEDs). “You don’t need training. Just do it,” he said. “It’s completely safe and it could save someone’s life.”
The urgency of Hauter’s message aligns with rising opioid overdose statistics. Illinois saw 3,261 opioid-related deaths in 2022, an 8.2% increase from 2021. Since 2013, synthetic opioid overdose deaths in the state have surged by over 3,300%, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Hauter’s demonstration underscores the critical role naloxone can play in combating the opioid crisis, promoting greater awareness and accessibility to prevent further loss of life.
