Press Releases

WASHINGTON—U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) today celebrated the announcement that Southwest will now stock Naloxone, the lifesaving overdose reversal drug, in its in-flight emergency medical kits. The announcement follows Pettersen’s introduction of legislation alongside Representatives David Trone (D-MD), and Jake Ellzey (R-TX) which would require opioid overdose medication to be carried on all airplanes. With this move, Southwest Airlines is joining major airlines like United, Alaska, Delta, American, and others in carrying opioid antagonists on board, many choosing to do so following on-board overdoses.

“One thing we can do to save lives during this opioid crisis is ensure that naloxone, or similar overdose-reversal drugs, are available in as many places as possible, which should include commercial aircraft,” said Pettersen. “I introduced legislation last year to require airlines to include these lifesaving medications in their emergency kits, and I’m grateful that Southwest has decided to include them proactively. My mom wouldn’t be alive today without naloxone and increasing access to this medication can help us combat the opioid crisis, which has already claimed more American lives than all world wars combined.” 

Naloxone, also referred to by the brand name “Narcan,” is a medication used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone can be administered as a nasal spray or can be injected into a person experiencing an overdose. It has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, which is why it is given if an opioid overdose is suspected.

Inspired by her own mother’s struggle with a substance use disorder, Pettersen has been leading the fight against the opioid epidemic for a decade in the Colorado state legislature and now in Congress. Since taking office, she has introduced nearly a dozen measures to combat this public health crisis and address everything from the import of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the financing of drug cartels, expanding access to treatment, and preventing overdose deaths by ensuring airplanes, law enforcement, and hospitals are able to distribute naloxone when necessary.