SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci sponsored a measure that expands access to overdose prevention supplies for providers enrolled in the Illinois Department of Human Service’s Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Division Drug Overdose Prevention Team.

“We need to throw the book at the ongoing opioid crisis, because something needs to change,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Even a change that seems small is a step in the right direction. The opioid epidemic has destroyed families all across central Illinois and the country, and we need to start taking it seriously."

Currently, only pharmacists, physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants or their designees are authorized to dispense adulterant testing supplies. Faraci’s law also allows trained overdose responders for an organization enrolled in the Drug Overdose Prevention Program administered by IDHS to dispense drug adulterant testing supplies.

The intention of the legislation is to increase access to fentanyl test strips and improve public health outcomes by preventing fatal overdose. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Because fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, these test strips can help prevent overdoses by allowing people struggling with addiction to test a substance for the presence of fentanyl.

House Bill 1121 was signed into law on Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.