Opioid Overdose Prevention and Treatment

One of the most tragic aspects of drug use is death from opioid overdose. While much lamented, and frequently cited as justification for pursuing various drug intervention agendas, few people are aware that such overdoses can be reversed by the medication naloxone when administered by educated bystanders. Programs have been developed during the last decade that provide such education, and often include distribution of kits containing naloxone (often known as Narcan), the same medication used by ambulances and emergency rooms to reverse overdoses. Programs target communities of at-risk users of both prescribed and street-bought opioids, and have been shown to save lives.

This presentation will discuss the epidemiology and risk factors for overdose, as well as prevention techniques, including the role of community based naloxone dispensing programs. Participants will learn to teach opioid users how to avoid, recognize, and act on an overdose. They will also learn how to assess the resources in their communities for overdose prevention, and recognize the problems and opportunities likely to be encountered in setting up programs. Legal issues involving naloxone as a medication will be addressed, as well as outreach strategies for engaging with different populations, including prison inmates, methadone maintenance clients, and primary care patients.