BALTIMORE, MD (April, 21, 2016) – Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued the following statement in response to Maine Governor Paul LePage’s decision to veto L.D. 1547, a bill that would allow pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription to individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose:

“Today’s decision from Governor LePage to veto increased access to the opioid overdose antidote naloxone demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the disease of addiction and perpetuates a tragic cycle of stigma.

Every year, tens of thousands across our country die from a preventable illness. The science is clear: naloxone saves lives. As a physician, I have personally administered naloxone and seen patients who would otherwise die from an opioid overdose be revived within seconds.

By vetoing this Bill, Governor LePage is perpetuating a dangerous myth: that saving someone’s life with naloxone will only foster addiction. This is unscientific, inhumane, and ill-informed. We would never refuse an EpiPen to someone experiencing a peanut allergy for fear that it would encourage them to eat peanut butter. There is no scientific evidence that naloxone will increase drug use; it is safe, effective, and life-saving.

In Baltimore, we believe that naloxone should be part of everyone's medicine cabinet and everyone's first aid kit. Our principle is that if we don’t save live today, there is no chance for a better tomorrow. That is why I issued a standing order— similar to one vetoed in Maine today—that has made this medication available to all 620,000 residents of our city. We do not wait for more of our residents to die while politicians blindly disregard the facts. We make policy decisions based on science, not stigma.

Addiction is a disease. We must treat it with the same urgency, humanity, and compassion as we treat all diseases. We must do all that we can in every city and every state to prevent overdose deaths, treat addiction, and save lives."