Initial Evaluation of Overdose Prevention Program in Philadelphia

Introduction: Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP) has offered overdose prevention program (ODPP) since 2006, which teaches intravenous drug users (IDUs) how to respond to an overdose, including administering naloxone. The first aim of this ongoing study is to evaluate knowledge of overdose prevention and to describe response behaviors among trained and untrained IDUs in Philadelphia. Methods: A total of 21 IDUs (6 trained and 16 untrained) were recruited from PPP between October-December 2010. During semi-structured interviews, participants described their responses to recently witnessed overdose. Qualitative and quantitative data were compared. Findings: Several preliminary findings have emerged. 75% of all participants have heard of ODPP, but only 38% know someone who has been trained and/or has naloxone. While 66% of untrained subjects correctly identified naloxone as effective at reversing a opioid overdose, only 10% expressed an interest in receiving training. Participants witnessed an average of 3 overdoses in the last year, with trained subjects more likely to witness a friend or associate overdose. Only one trained participant (16%) reported using naloxone to respond to an overdose. Trained participants more likely called 911 (50%) and stayed with the victim (100%). In contrast, 40% of untrained subject didn't know what happened to overdose victim. 43% identified “fear of getting arrested” as the reason for not staying with the victim. Conclusions: These preliminary findings highlight the need for understanding the barriers that prevent untrained IDUs from accessing ODPP. The reasons why more trained IDUs don't use naloxone during response to an overdose necessitates additional research.