Support Evidenced-based Best Practices in the Emergency Department
Support H.B. 420 "Danny's Law"

H.B. 420 - "Danny's Law" - requires hospitals to establish and implement evidence-based best practices for opioid-related emergencies in the Emergency Department.

Emergency Departments using the "treat and street" model are failing people with addiction. There are far too many stories of individuals being rushed to the hospital during an overdose, brought back with naloxone, then discharged just hours later - frequently in acute withdrawal - with no resources, no referrals, and no access to naloxone should they overdose again. And many of them do. Studies show more than 60% of people with opioid addiction overdose more than once.

This legislation would require hospitals to implement best practices like take-home naloxone; buprenorphine induction in the emergency room; the implementation of peer recovery specialists into triage, treatment, and follow-up services; and linkage to other community based recovery/harm reduction support.

It’s time to bring impactful change to the way opioid-related emergencies are handled in Virginia's Emergency Departments.

Thank you for supporting this important legislation.