Prevention Point Pittsburgh: An Overdose Prevention Program

Accidental poisonings associated with licit and illicit drug overdose continue to rise across the U.S. In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania the rate of OD deaths is greater than motor vehicle fatalities and homicides combined. Prevention Point Pittsburgh developed an Overdose Prevention Program in 2002, to provide tools and information to individuals at risk of overdose, those likely to be present at the scene of an overdose, and those who work, professionally with individuals who may be at risk. The program targets inmates in the County Jail, participants of the Needle Exchange Program, clients and staff of methadone and other treatment programs, as well as patients of health clinics and a variety of other programs.

The data, methods, and implementation and rationale of the development and implementation of the Pittsburgh/Alleghany Pennsylvania Prevention Point Pittsburgh will be presented. The presentation will highlight the following areas: 1) defining the target audience of the naloxone overdose responders; 2) how to achieve reduction of risk of opioid overdose; 3) identifying overdose symptoms; 4) identifying the rationale for calling 911; 5) effective overdose response methods, including rescue breathing; and, 5) the results of the administration naloxone intervention to 5500 persons and the 400 overdose incidents avoided. The presentation will conclude with personal stories of successful overdose prevention.