US drug leader says Vt. can lead on opiate issue
WATERBURY, Vt. (AP) — Vermont’s efforts to fight heroin and opiate abuse can serve as a model for the rest of the country, the nation’s top anti-drug official said Monday during a visit to the state Department of Public Safety.
R. Gil Kerlikowske, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, applauded the state’s efforts to combat the growing heroin problem through medical therapy and expanded use of overdose preventatives.
‘‘In a state the size of Vermont you can serve as a model and a blueprint,’’ Kerlikowske said at the meeting attended by Gov. Peter Shumlin, top public safety officials and Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen.
‘‘Vermont wants to lead the way in treating this as a disease,’’ said Shumlin, who in his State of the State address called opiate abuse a public health problem that cannot be solved by law enforcement alone.
As part of that effort, Chen said rules are being changed so all ambulances will have someone to administer the opiate overdose antidote naloxone — commonly known by the brand name Narcan. Previously, only higher level medical providers could administer naloxone but the new rule will allow emergency medical technicians to administer the drug.
It’s hoped that in about six weeks all state police troopers will be trained to use naloxone, the head of the Vermont State Police Col. Tom L'Esperance said.
