Diversifying the Settings of Opioid Overdose Prevention Trainings: Lessons for Implementation

Diversifying the Settings of Opioid Overdose Prevention Trainings: Lessons for Implementation

Overdoses are a leading cause of death among opioid users, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Opioid overdose prevention programs train laypersons to carry naloxone (Narcan) for use in reversing suspected overdoses in the community setting, an innovative harm reduction strategy. This intervention began in the United States in the late 1990s and New York City in 2004. It is currently offered in numerous locations around the country using different models depending on the local legal and political environment and available resources. These models will be discussed with a brief review of the components of a concise overdose prevention training. In New York City, these programs were initially implemented in syringe exchange settings, but are now increasingly welcomed in many settings, such as hospitals and community based organizations, that do not traditionally offer harm reduction interventions. Experience in implementing overdose prevention in syringe exchanges and these various other settings will be reviewed. This will include an examination of challenges such as the stigma of overtly providing services for drug users, involving medical personnel, liability issues, concern about promoting drug use and institutional barriers.