WASHINGTON, D.C. (WVDN) – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), recently joined her colleagues in introducing the Safe Response Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize a grant program that allows states, local government entities, and tribes to train and provide resources to first responders responding to drug overdoses.
“West Virginians know all too well the devastation and heartbreak drug overdoses cause in our communities. That’s why it is essential Congress provides the resources and training our first responders need to administer life-saving overdose reversal drugs and keep themselves safe in the process. I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that will equip our first responders with the necessary tools to save more lives,” Senator Capito said.
BACKGROUND:
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 80,391 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2024. Of those, over 50,000 overdose deaths were due to opioids, including fentanyl. This marked a sharp decline from the previous year — a decrease of 26.9% from the 110,037 deaths estimated in 2023 – in part due to the availability of opioid reversal drugs like naloxone. West Virginia reflects this trend, with a nearly 41% reduction in overdose deaths over the past year.
The 2018 SUPPORT Act included a grant program to provide funding for states, local government entities, Indian Tribes, and tribal organizations to train and provide resources to first responders to respond to an overdose.
The Safe Response Act would reauthorize this grant program, included as part of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act, providing $57 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for grants to first responders and those in key community sectors to respond to overdoses. Grants may be used to:
- Ensure that first responders and other members of key community sectors have the knowledge and training to utilize overdose reversal devices or administer overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone;
- Provide technical assistance and training about how first responders and other members of key community sectors, such as first SUD treatment providers and emergency medical service agencies, can better protect themselves in the event of exposure to such drugs;
- Establish processes, protocols, and mechanisms for referral to appropriate treatment, which may include an outreach coordinator or team to connect individuals receiving opioid overdose reversal drugs to follow-up services;
- And educate first responders and members of key community sectors about the need to follow standard safe operating procedures in instances of exposure to fentanyl, carfentanil, and other dangerous and illicit drugs.
A copy of the bill text can be found here.
A one-pager on the bill can be found here.
