Zoeller Announces Naloxone Funding, Calls For Permanent Solution

Attorney General Greg Zoeller Wednesday announced another round of grant funding to distribute the overdose intervention drug naloxone to first responders around the state. But Zoeller says a more sustainable funding source is necessary.

Previous grants for naloxone provided kits of the drug to law enforcement and first responders in about 45 counties. Attorney General Greg Zoeller says new funding – $400,000 – will expand that further, with the eventual goal of statewide supply.

The money comes from a settlement with pharmaceutical companies over off-label and deceptive marketing. But Zoeller says that’s not a long-term solution.

“Next session is a budget year so it absolutely needs to be put in the state budget, local budgets,” Zoeller says. “I’m calling on everybody to focus on this as something that needs to be addressed.”

Zoeller says funding at the state level is vital because the drug can be purchased in bulk, reducing its price.