Wolf Administration continues to speak out on the stigma of drug addiction

(Harrisburg) — One of the major themes of the Wolf Administration’s efforts in the opioid epidemic is that drug addiction needs to be treated like the disease that it is, not a simple weakness in character.

Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine says it’s unfortunate that some people are critical of those who need multiple doses of Naloxone, the anti-overdose drug.

“Let’s use a heart attack model.  If someone has a second or third heart attack we don’t queston whether we’re going to revive them or not.  We resuscitate them and then we work even harder to get that person the treatment that they need for their medical condition.  And the same in terms of Naloxone and overdoses,” Levine said.

Anyone can obtain Naloxone to have on hand if they have a friend or loved one who’s prone to overdose.

That statewide “prescription” was one of the administration’s first steps in its opioid policy.