Senate OKs bill making it easier to get anti-overdose drugs

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CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada senators have passed a measure that would ease restrictions on accessing drugs that counteract opioids.

The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to pass SB459, which was introduced on behalf of Gov. Brian Sandoval.

The so-called "Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act" would reduce criminal penalties for reporting drug overdoses, and allow such a report to be considered as a mitigating factor during prosecution for other crimes.

It would also make it easier for family members, friends or others close to a person who's at risk of overdosing to access the non-addictive drug naloxone, which can help reverse potentially deadly heroin or painkiller overdoses.