The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71616

Phillip Glen Fiuty, Infectious Disease Bureau, New Mexico Department of Health, 1190 ST. Francis Drive, Room South 1252, Santa Fe, NM 87505, 505-476-3634, phillipf@doh.state.nm.us

Aims: To show the efficacy of providing prescription naloxone to injection drug users (IDUs) to reduce overdose mortality as part of a program of harm reduction and increased public awareness. Methods: In August of 2001, the Department of Health began collecting IDU-reported data when requests for naloxone refills were made. Questions about overdose episodes covered use of rescue breathing and EMS. Results: From August of 2001 to January of 2003, 197 IDUs have been trained and prescribed naloxone. During that time, 30 “Record of Use” forms have been submitted. Six forms indicated something other than use of the Naloxone in an overdose including the expiration of the medication, law enforcement confiscation, and lost or stolen medication. A total of 22 reports indicated that a life had been saved during an overdose situation: 19 reported the successful use of naloxone, 2 reported saving a life using only the rescue breathing learned during training, and 1 reported calling 911 when their naloxone was not available, an option that would not have been considered prior to training. Conclusions: Initial reports of prevented overdoses by education and naloxone prescription to IDUs have inspired efforts to expand naloxone availability. These include making naloxone available through several syringe exchange sites, one residential treatment facility, several methadone clinics, several faith-based case management programs, and having the police in some of the state’s rural locations carry naloxone.

Learning Objectives:

• List key factors for New Mexico having the highest per capita rate of fatal overdose;
• Explain New Mexico’s Opioid Antagonist Legislation and regulations;
• Understand the role of harm reduction/syringe exchange programs and other overdose prevention initiatives in the state;
• Describe the data collection and results of the New Mexico Department of Health’s Naloxone program.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.