Provision of naloxone to injection drug users as an overdose prevention strategy: early evidence from a pilot study in New York City

(Re)situating expertise in community-based overdose response: Insights from an ethnographic study of overdose prevention sites (OPS) in Vancouver, Canada

Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS) are low-barrier services where people may use illicit drugs under the monitoring of staff trained to provide life-saving care in the event of an overdose. In British Columbia (BC), Canada, OPS have been rapidly scaled-up as a community-based response to the overdose crisis and are staffed primarily by community members who are also people who use drugs (PWUD). While it is known that PWUD perform vital roles in OPS and other community-based overdose interventions, the expertise and expert knowledge of PWUD in this work remains under-theorised. This study draws on 20 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Vancouver, BC (July 2018 to March 2020), to explore how OPS responders who are PWUD developed and enacted expertise in overdose response. Ethnographic fieldwork focused on four OPS located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) and Downtown South neighbourhoods. Methods included 100 hours of observation in the sites and surrounding areas, three site-specific focus groups with OPS responders (n=20), and semi-structured interviews with OPS responders (n=14) and service users (n=23). Data was analysed with the aim of characterizing the knowledge underpinning responders' expertise, and the arrangements which allow for the formation and enactment of expertise. We found that OPS responders' expertise was grounded in experiential knowledge acquired through their positionality as PWUD and members of a broader community of activists engaged in mutual aid. Responders became skilled in overdose response through frequent practice and drew on their experiential and embodied knowledge of overdose to provide care that was both technically proficient and responsive to the broader needs of PWUD (e.g. protection from criminalization and stigmatizing treatment). Responders emphasized that the spatial arrangements of OPS supported the development of expertise by facilitating more specialized and comprehensive overdose care. OPS became sites of collective expertise around overdose management as responder teams developed shared understandings of overdose management, including processes for managing uncertainty, delegating team responsibilities, and sharing decision-making. This research re-situates theoretical understandings of expertise in community-based overdose response with implications for overdose prevention interventions. Findings underscore the experiential and embodied expertise of PWUD as community-based responders; the importance of supportive environments and team-based approaches for overdose response; and the benefits of community-driven training that extends beyond technical skills of overdose identification and naloxone administration.

Evaluating the impact of naloxone dispensation at public health vending machines in Clark County, Nevada

INTRODUCTION

Implementing public health vending machines (PHVMs) is an evidence-based strategy for mitigating substance use-associated morbidity and mortality via the dispensation of essential supplies to people who use drugs, including overdose prevention resources. PHVMs have been implemented throughout the world; however, their implementation in the United States (US) is a recent phenomenon. In 2017, Trac-B Exchange (a syringe services program in Clark County, Nevada) installed three PHVMs. In 2019, naloxone dispensation was launched at PHVMs in Clark County. The purpose of this research is to examine the extent to which naloxone dispensation at PHVMs was associated with changes in opioid-involved overdose fatalities.

METHODS

Monthly counts of opioid-involved overdose fatalities among Clark County residents that occurred from January 2015 to December 2020 were used to build an autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA) model to measure the impact of naloxone dispensation at PHVMs. We forecasted the number of expected opioid-involved overdose fatalities had naloxone dispensation at PHVMs not occurred and compared to observed monthly counts. Interrupted time series analyses (ITSA) were used to evaluate the step (i.e. the immediate impact of naloxone dispensation at PHVMs on opioid-involved overdose fatalities) and slope change (i.e. changes in trend and directionality of monthly counts of opioid-involved overdose fatalities following naloxone dispensation at PHVMs).

RESULTS

During the 12-months immediately following naloxone dispensation at PHVMs, our model forecasted 270 opioid-involved overdose fatalities, but death certificate data indicated only 229 occurred, suggesting an aversion of 41 deaths. ITSA identified a significant negative step change in opioid-involved overdose fatalities at the time naloxone dispensation at PHVMs was launched (B = -8.52, p = .0022) and a significant increasing slope change (B = 1.01, p<.0001). Forecasts that extended into the COVID-19 pandemic suggested worsening trends in overdose fatalities.

CONCLUSION

Naloxone dispensation at PHVMs was associated with immediate reductions in opioid-involved overdose fatalities. Key MessagesNaloxone dispensation at PHVMs was associated with immediate reductions in opioid-involved overdose fatalities.Communities should consider implementing public health vending machines in efforts to prevent opioid-involved overdose fatalities.The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the overdose crisis.

Modeling of overdose and naloxone distribution in the setting of fentanyl compared to heroin

BACKGROUND

Fentanyl has replaced most other non-prescribed opioids in much of North America. There is controversy over whether a hypothetical reduced efficacy of naloxone in reversing fentanyl is a major contributor to the coincident rising overdose mortality.

METHODS

We modified an existing Markov decision analytic model of heroin overdose and naloxone distribution to account for known risks of fentanyl by adjusting overdose risk, the likelihood of death in the event of overdose, and the proportion of cases in which available naloxone was administered in time to prevent death. We assumed near-universal survival when naloxone was administered promptly for heroin or fentanyl overdose, but allowed that to decline in sensitivity analyses for fentanyl. We varied the proportion of use that was fentanyl and adjusted the modified parameters accordingly to estimate mortality as the dominant opioid shifted.

RESULTS

Absent naloxone, the annual overdose death rate was 1.0% and 4.1% for heroin and fentanyl, respectively. With naloxone reaching 80% of those at risk, the overdose death rate was 0.7% and 3.6% for heroin and fentanyl, respectively, representing reductions of 26.4% and 12.0%. Monte Carlo simulations resulted in overdose mortality with fentanyl of 3.3-5.2% without naloxone and 2.6-4.9% with naloxone, with 95% certainty. Positing reduced efficacy for naloxone in reversing fentanyl resulted in 3.6% of fentanyl overdose deaths being prevented by naloxone.

CONCLUSIONS

Heightened risk for overdose and subsequent death, alongside the time-sensitive need for naloxone administration, fully account for increased mortality when fentanyl replaces heroin, assuming optimal pharmacologic efficacy of naloxone.

A qualitative examination of responses from a survey of pharmacy staff in Georgia regarding access to Narcan®

Georgia state lawmakers enacted legislation designed to reduce opioid overdose deaths by increasing public access to rescue products, such as Narcan®. This article explores whether pharmacy employees have effectively adopted such changes into pharmacy practice. We analyzed unsolicited remarks noted during a parent telephone survey of 120 Georgia pharmacy staff regarding price, availability and barriers to layperson purchase of Narcan®. Comments regarding dispensing requirements and challenges in obtaining inventory and changes in communication style were recorded. Around 15% were unfamiliar with Narcan® as an opioid overdose reversal agent or were unaware of their pharmacy's policies governing its sale. Nearly half of those contacted did not have Narcan® in stock with some reporting that receiving Narcan® would take several days after placing an order. Over half specified requirements for purchasing Narcan® not required by law. Fewer than 15% had Narcan® available and imposed no unnecessary requirements for its purchase. During approximately 10% of the survey calls, respondents used a tone of voice or made comments suggestive of bias. We conclude that non-compliance with current laws, lack of familiarity with Narcan® and negative communication tendencies that suggest implicit bias and stigmatizing behaviors could ultimately inhibit access to opioid overdose treatment.

Reducing the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder: evaluating an opioid overdose prevention training program applied to a diverse population

Background

The opioid epidemic is a rapidly growing public health concern in the USA, as the number of overdose deaths continues to increase each year. One strategy for combating the rising number of overdoses is through opioid overdose prevention programs (OOPPs).

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative OOPP, with changes in knowledge and attitudes serving as the primary outcome measures.

Methods

The OOPP was developed by a group of medical students under guidance from faculty advisors. Training sessions focused on understanding stigmatizing factors of opioid use disorder (OUD), as well as protocols for opioid overdose reversal through naloxone administration. Pre- and post-surveys were partially adapted from the opioid overdose attitudes and knowledge scales and administered to all participants. Paired t-tests were conducted to assess differences between pre- and post-surveys.

Results

A total of 440 individuals participated in the training; 381 completed all or the majority of the survey. Participants came from a diverse set of backgrounds, ages, and experiences. All three knowledge questions showed significant improvements. For attitude questions, significant improvements were found in all three questions evaluating confidence, two of three questions assessing attitudes towards overdose reversal, and four of five questions evaluating stigma and attitudes towards individuals with OUD.

Conclusions

Our innovative OOPP was effective not only in increasing knowledge but also in improving attitudes towards overdose reversal and reducing stigma towards individuals with OUD. Given the strong improvements in attitudes towards those with OUD, efforts should be made to incorporate the unique focus on biopsychosocial and sociohistorical components into future OOPPs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12954-022-00589-6.

Peer Support and Overdose Prevention Responses: A Systematic 'State-of-the-Art' Review

Overdose prevention for people who use illicit drugs is essential during the current overdose crisis. Peer support is a process whereby individuals with lived or living experience of a particular phenomenon provide support to others by explicitly drawing on these experiences. This review provides a systematic search and evidence synthesis of peer support within overdose prevention interventions for people who use illicit drugs. A systematic search of six databases (CINAHL, SocINDEX, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge) was conducted in November 2020 for papers published in English between 2000 and 2020. Following screening and full-text review, 46 papers met criteria and were included in this review. A thematic analysis approach was used to synthesize themes. Important findings include: the value of peers in creating trusted services; the diversity of peers' roles; the implications of barriers on peer-involved overdose prevention interventions; and the stress and trauma experienced by peers. Peers play a pivotal role in overdose prevention interventions for people who use illicit drugs and are essential to the acceptability and feasibility of such services. However, peers face considerable challenges within their roles, including trauma and burnout. Future interventions must consider how to support and strengthen peer roles in overdose settings.

The Birth of Naloxone: An Intellectual History of an Ambivalent Opioid

Naloxone, which reverses the effects of opioids, was synthesized in 1960, though the hunt for opioid antagonists began a half-century earlier. The history of this quest reveals how cultural and medical attitudes toward opioids have been marked by a polarization of discourse that belies a keen ambivalence. From 1915 to 1960, researchers were stymied in seeking a "pure" antidote to opioids, discovering instead numerous opioid molecules of mixed or paradoxical properties. At the same time, the quest for a dominant explanatory and therapeutic model for addiction was likewise unsettled. After naloxone's discovery, new dichotomizing language arose in the "War on Drugs," in increasingly divergent views between addiction medicine and palliative care, and in public debates about layperson naloxone access. Naloxone, one of the emblematic drugs of our time, highlights the ambivalence latent in public and biomedical discussions of opioids as agents of risk and relief.

Naloxone's role in the national opioid crisis-past struggles, current efforts, and future opportunities

Over the past 25 years, naloxone has emerged as a critical lifesaving overdose antidote. Public health advocates and community activists established early methods for naloxone distribution to people who inject drugs, but a legacy of stigmatization and opposition to universal naloxone access continues to limit the drug's full potential to reduce opioid-related mortality. The establishment of naloxone distribution programs under the umbrella of syringe exchange programs faces the same practical, ideological and financial barriers to expansion similar to those faced by syringe exchange programs themselves. The expansion of naloxone from the confines of a few syringe exchange programs to what we see today represents an enormous triumph for the grass-roots activists, service providers, and public health professionals who have fought to guarantee lay access to naloxone. Despite the extensive efforts to expand access to naloxone, naloxone continues to remains a scarce resource in many US localities. Considerable naloxone "deserts" remain and even where there is naloxone access, it does not always reach those at risk. Promising areas for expansion include the development of more robust telehealth methods for naloxone distribution, including subsidized mail delivery programs; lowering barriers to pharmacy access; working with hospitals, ambulances, and law enforcement to expand naloxone "leave behind" programs; providing naloxone co-prescription with medications for opioid use disorder; and working with prisons, shelters, and networks of people who use drugs to increase access to the lifesaving medication. Efforts to ensure over-the-counter and low- or no-cost naloxone are ongoing and stand alongside medication-assisted treatments as efficacious, readily-actionable, and cost-efficient population-level interventions available for combatting opioid-related overdose in the United States.

Rhode Island's Opioid Overdose Hospital Standards and Emergency Department Naloxone Distribution, Behavioral Counseling, and Referral to Treatment

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the influence of the Levels of Care for Rhode Island Emergency Departments and Hospitals for Treating Overdose and Opioid Use Disorder (Levels of Care) on emergency department (ED) provision of take-home naloxone, behavioral counseling, and referral to treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of Rhode Island ED visits for opioid overdose from 2017 to 2018 was performed using data from a statewide opioid overdose surveillance system. Changes in provision of take-home naloxone, behavioral counseling, and referral to treatment before and after Levels of Care implementation were assessed using interrupted time series analysis. We compared outcomes by hospital type using multivariable modified Poisson regression models with generalized estimating equation estimation to account for hospital-level variation.

RESULTS

We analyzed 245 overdose visits prior to Levels of Care implementation (January to March 2017) and 1340 overdose visits after implementation (hospital certification to December 2018). After implementation, the proportion of patients offered naloxone increased on average by 13% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.6% to 20.4%). Prior to implementation, the proportion of patients receiving behavioral counseling and treatment referral was declining. After implementation, this decline slowed and stabilized, and on average 18.6% more patients received behavioral counseling (95% CI 1.3% to 35.9%) and 23.1% more patients received referral to treatment (95% CI 2.7% to 43.5%). Multivariable analysis showed that after implementation, there was a significant increase in the likelihood of being offered naloxone at Level 1 (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.31 [95% CI 1.06 to 1.61]) and Level 3 (aRR 3.13 [95% CI 1.08 to 9.06]) hospitals and an increase in referrals for medication for opioid use disorder (from 2.5% to 17.8%) at Level 1 hospitals (RR 7.73 [95% CI 3.22 to 18.55]). Despite these increases, less than half of the patients treated for an opioid overdose received behavioral counseling or referral to treatment CONCLUSION: The establishment of ED policies for treatment and services after opioid overdose improved naloxone distribution, behavioral counseling, and referral to treatment at hospitals without previously established opioid overdose services. Future investigations are needed to better characterize implementation barriers and evaluate policy influence on patient outcomes.

Opioid-Associated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Distinctive Clinical Features and Implications for Health Care and Public Responses: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Opioid overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans 25 to 64 years of age, and opioid use disorder affects >2 million Americans. The epidemiology of opioid-associated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States is changing rapidly, with exponential increases in death resulting from synthetic opioids and linear increases in heroin deaths more than offsetting modest reductions in deaths from prescription opioids. The pathophysiology of polysubstance toxidromes involving opioids, asphyxial death, and prolonged hypoxemia leading to global ischemia (cardiac arrest) differs from that of sudden cardiac arrest. People who use opioids may also develop bacteremia, central nervous system vasculitis and leukoencephalopathy, torsades de pointes, pulmonary vasculopathy, and pulmonary edema. Emergency management of opioid poisoning requires recognition by the lay public or emergency dispatchers, prompt emergency response, and effective ventilation coupled to compressions in the setting of opioid-associated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Effective ventilation is challenging to teach, whereas naloxone, an opioid antagonist, can be administered by emergency medical personnel, trained laypeople, and the general public with dispatcher instruction to prevent cardiac arrest. Opioid education and naloxone distributions programs have been developed to teach people who are likely to encounter a person with opioid poisoning how to administer naloxone, deliver high-quality compressions, and perform rescue breathing. Current American Heart Association recommendations call for laypeople and others who cannot reliably establish the presence of a pulse to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in any individual who is unconscious and not breathing normally; if opioid overdose is suspected, naloxone should also be administered. Secondary prevention, including counseling, opioid overdose education with take-home naloxone, and medication for opioid use disorder, is important to prevent recurrent opioid overdose.

Stakeholders' Perceptions of Factors Influencing the Use of Take-Home-Naloxone

Background and Aims: Opioid associated death and overdose is a growing burden in societies all over the world. In recent years, legislative changes have increased access to naloxone in the take-home setting for use by patients with a substance use disorder and bystanders, to prevent opioid overdose deaths. However, few studies have explored the factors influencing the uptake by its multiple stakeholders. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the factors influencing the use of take-home naloxone from the perspectives of different stakeholders. Methods: A scoping review methodology was adopted with a systematic search of databases EMBASE, MEDLINE and PubMed. A variation of the search words “naloxone”, “opioid” and “overdose” were used in each database. The articles were screened according to the predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria and categorized based on their key perspective or target population. Results: The initial database search yielded a total of 1483 articles. After a series of screening processes, 51 articles were included for analysis. Two key stakeholder perspectives emerged: patients and bystanders (n = 36), and healthcare professionals (n = 15). Within the patient and bystander group, a strong consensus arose that there were positive outcomes from increased access to take-home naloxone and relevant training programs. Despite these positive outcomes, some healthcare professionals were concerned that take-home naloxone would encourage high-risk opioid use. Conclusion: Take-home naloxone is slowly being introduced into community practice, with a sense of enthusiasm from patients and bystanders. There are still a number of barriers that need to be addressed from healthcare professionals’ perspective. Future research should be aimed at emergency care professionals outside of the US, who are most experienced with naloxone and its potential impact on the community.

Improving Intranasal Naloxone Prescribing Through EMR Modification and Automation

BACKGROUND

In 2017, approximately 11.4 million Americans used opioids inappropriately. Nearly 47,600 deaths in 2017 were attributable to overdose on opioids. Intranasal naloxone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015 as a rescue medication for opioid overdose. New York State launched a prescription drug monitoring program in 2012, the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing (I-STOP), that required completion before dispensing any controlled substance. Currently, prescribing naloxone at our institution requires 10 clicks and 2 free text boxes. The goal of this project was to increase the prescribing of intranasal naloxone by utilizing EMR automation and visualization tools.

METHODS

Our intervention embedded a section within the required I-STOP note, displaying the last date naloxone was prescribed and an option to "prescribe intranasal naloxone." If checked, a prepopulated order dialog box was generated.

RESULTS

Intranasal naloxone orders for the institution totaled 65 for 2 months before the intervention and 203 for 2 months after the intervention, with 112 (55%) coming directly from the I-STOP note modification. Ease of prescribing improved as total clicks were reduced from 10 to 2, and free text boxes from 2 to 0.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that a clinical decision support system can be an effective way to increase hospital-wide naloxone prescribing rates. We were able to increase prescribing rates by more than three-fold, significantly increasing the availability of a rescue medication to individuals at high-risk for overdose. Intranasal naloxone prescribing increased with the implementation of a visual reminder and a more intuitive ordering experience while preserving provider autonomy.

Characteristics of Patients With Opioid Use Disorder Associated With Performing Overdose Reversals in the Community: An Opioid Treatment Program Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The primary outcome of this study is to identify characteristics of study participants in a large opioid treatment program (OTP) for opioid use disorder (OUD) who used take-home naloxone to perform 1 or more opioid overdose (OD) reversal(s) in the community.

METHODS

This 6-month prospective cohort study provided take-home naloxone and opioid OD education for 287 study participants with OUD. Characteristics associated with use of the take-home naloxone were determined from among 16 variables using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

The study participants who had greater odds of using the take-home naloxone to perform OD reversals, compared to those who did not use the take-home naloxone, (a) received emergency room care themselves for OD (OR = 4.89, 95% CI 1.54-15.52, P = 0.007), (b) previously witnessed someone else OD (OR = 5.67, 95% CI 1.24-25.87, P = 0.025), (c) tested positive for 2 or more illicit substances at their 6-month urine analysis (OR = 5.26, 95% CI 1.58-17.54, P = 0.007) or were missing their 6-month urine analysis (OR = 3.46, 95% CI 1.42-8.43, P = 0.006). In addition, they had greater odds of being (d) less than 30 years old (OR = 2.80, 95% CI 1.02-7.66, P = 0.045), and (e) Hispanic (OR = 3.98, 95% CI 1.41-11.21, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

This study prospectively identified several characteristics of patients enrolled in an OTP with increased odds of using take-home naloxone in their social networks. Future harm reduction efforts may benefit by using targeted characteristics to identify those most likely to use naloxone in their communities.

Fatal overdose prevention and experience with naloxone: A cross-sectional study from a community-based cohort of people who inject drugs in Baltimore, Maryland

Introduction

Overdose is a leading cause of death in the United States, especially among people who inject drugs (PWID). Improving naloxone access and carrying among PWID may offset recent increases in overdose mortality associated with the influx of synthetic opioids in the drug market. This study characterized prevalence and correlates of several naloxone outcomes among PWID.

Methods

During 2018, a survey to assess experience with naloxone was administered to 915 participants in the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) study, an ongoing community-based observational cohort of people who currently inject or formerly injected drugs in Baltimore, Maryland. We examined the associations of naloxone outcomes (training, supply, use, and regular possession) with socio-demographic, substance use and healthcare utilization factors among PWID in order to characterize gaps in naloxone implementation among this high-risk population.

Results

Median age was 56 years, 34% were female, 85% were African American, and 31% recently injected. In the past six months, 46% (n = 421) reported receiving training in overdose prevention, 38% (n = 346) had received a supply of naloxone, 9% (n = 85) had administered naloxone, and 9% (n = 82) reported usually carrying a supply of naloxone. Recent non-fatal overdose was not associated with any naloxone outcomes in adjusted analysis. Active opioid use (aOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.28) and recent treatment of alcohol or substance use disorder (aOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.56) were associated with regularly carrying naloxone.

Conclusion

Further work is needed to encourage PWID to carry and effectively use naloxone to decrease rates of fatal opioid overdose. While accessing treatment for substance use disorder was positively associated with carrying naloxone, EMS response to 911 calls for overdose, the emergency department, and syringe services programs may be settings in which naloxone access and carrying could be encouraged among PWID.

Association of Take-Home Naloxone and Opioid Overdose Reversals Performed by Patients in an Opioid Treatment Program

Importance

The US opioid crisis was deemed a public health emergency in 2017. More than 130 individuals in the US die daily as a result of unintentional opioid overdose deaths.

Objective

To measure use of take-home naloxone for overdose reversals performed by study participants with opioid use disorder receiving treatment at an opioid treatment program.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In a year-long cohort study, between April 4, 2016, and May 16, 2017, 395 study participants enrolled at the University of New Mexico Addiction and Substance Abuse Opioid Treatment Program, an outpatient clinic treating substance use disorders. Inclusion criteria included all patients enrolled at University of New Mexico Addiction and Substance Abuse Opioid Treatment Program during the study enrollment period; positive history of opioid use disorder treated with methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone; and age 18 years or older. Exclusion criteria included allergy to naloxone and age younger than 18 years. The study closed 1 year after enrollment, on May 17, 2018. Data analysis was performed from May 2018 to July 2019.

Exposure

Two doses of take-home naloxone combined with opioid overdose education were provided to study participants.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was to measure the association of take-home naloxone with overdose reversals performed by patients with opioid use disorder enrolled in an opioid treatment program.

Results

We enrolled 395 study participants (270 female [68.4%]; mean [SD] age, 35.4 [12.6] years; 260 [65.8%] with Hispanic white race/ethnicity) in the 1-year prospective trial. Sixty-eight female participants (25.2% of all female participants) were pregnant at the time of enrollment. Seventy-three of the 395 study participants (18.0%) performed 114 overdose reversals in the community. All community reversals were heroin related. Most study participants (86.8%) stated that the person on whom they performed an overdose reversal was a friend, relative, acquaintance, or significant other. In the year before enrollment, only 18 study participants (4.5%) had been prescribed naloxone.

Conclusions and Relevance

Take-home naloxone as part of overdose education and naloxone distribution provided to patients in an opioid treatment program may be associated with a strategic targeted harm reduction response for reversing opioid overdose-related deaths. Policy makers may consider regulations to mandate overdose education and naloxone distribution in opioid treatment programs.

The impact of a pharmacist-led naloxone education and community distribution project on local use of naloxone

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use and public perception of naloxone through distribution and education by pharmacists at local health screenings in low-income communities in Western Pennsylvania.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted, offering education on opioid use disorder and naloxone to individuals attending community outreach events in Allegheny County, PA. Participants with interest and willingness to use naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose were offered naloxone nasal spray and additional training. These individuals were asked to complete a survey at the time of naloxone provision and were recontacted by telephone at a later date to collect follow-up data. The primary objective of the study was to ascertain naloxone use at follow-up. Secondary objectives of the study were to measure the difficulty of obtaining naloxone, identify any change in knowledge of naloxone before and after pharmacist intervention, and assess public perception of stigma associated with naloxone initiatives. Data were analyzed using descriptive and univariate comparative statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 265 people received naloxone, and 132 (49.8%) completed the initial survey. Fifty-seven participants subsequently completed both surveys (43.2% follow-up). Naloxone was utilized by 3.5% of respondents over an average of 3 months. Participants' perception of obtaining naloxone before the study was evenly distributed (35.8% never tried, 32.1% difficult, and 30.2% not difficult). A total of 52.6% of respondents believed that naloxone initiatives decreased the stigma of illicit opioid use.

CONCLUSION

Naloxone provided in the community setting was utilized by a small percentage of the general public in the 2- to 4-month follow-up. Pharmacists can provide naloxone education and training within communities affected by high opioid overdose rates.

Impact of a community-based naloxone distribution program on opioid overdose death rates

BACKGROUND

In August 2013, a naloxone distribution program was implemented in North Carolina (NC). This study evaluated that program by quantifying the association between the program and county-level opioid overdose death (OOD) rates and conducting a cost-benefit analysis.

METHODS

One-group pre-post design. Data included annual county-level counts of naloxone kits distributed from 2013 to 2016 and mortality data from 2000-2016. We used generalized estimating equations to estimate the association between cumulative rates of naloxone kits distributed and annual OOD rates. Costs included naloxone kit purchases and distribution costs; benefits were quantified as OODs avoided and monetized using a conservative value of a life.

RESULTS

The rate of OOD in counties with 1-100 cumulative naloxone kits distributed per 100,000 population was 0.90 times (95% CI: 0.78, 1.04) that of counties that had not received kits. In counties that received >100 cumulative kits per 100,000 population, the OOD rate was 0.88 times (95% CI: 0.76, 1.02) that of counties that had not received kits. By December 2016, an estimated 352 NC deaths were avoided by naloxone distribution (95% CI: 189, 580). On average, for every dollar spent on the program, there was $2742 of benefit due to OODs avoided (95% CI: $1,237, $4882).

CONCLUSIONS

Our estimates suggest that community-based naloxone distribution is associated with lower OOD rates. The program generated substantial societal benefits due to averted OODs. States and communities should continue to support efforts to increase naloxone access, which may include reducing legal, financial, and normative barriers.

Take-home naloxone possession among people who inject drugs in rural West Virginia

BACKGROUND

Take-home naloxone (THN) possession among people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural communities is understudied. Better understanding the nature of THN possession among rural PWID could inform the implementation of overdose prevention initiatives. The purpose of this research is to determine factors associated with rural PWID having recently received THN.

METHODS

Data from a PWID population estimation study implemented in Cabell County, West Virginia were used for this research. Multivariable Poisson regression with a robust variance estimator was used to evaluate the independent effects of several measures (e.g., sociodemographics, structural vulnerabilities, substance use) on PWID having received THN in the past 6 months.

RESULTS

Forty-eight percent of our sample (n = 371) of PWID reported having received THN in the past 6 months. Factors associated with having received THN were: age (adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR] = 1.02; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.01-1.03), having recently accessed sterile syringes at a needle exchange program (aPR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.35-2.46), believing that doctors judge people who use drugs (aPR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.07-2.12), and having witnessed at least one non-fatal overdose in the past 6 months (aPR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.06-1.94). Greater numbers of overdose events in the past 6 months were also associated with having received THN.

CONCLUSIONS

Among rural PWID in West Virginia, slightly less than half received THN in the past 6 months. Rural communities need overdose prevention interventions that are responsive to the unique needs of rural PWID, decrease stigma, and ensure PWID have access to harm reduction services and drug treatment programs.

Barriers to naloxone use and acceptance among opioid users, first responders, and emergency department providers in New Hampshire, USA

BACKGROUND

The United States is in the midst of a devastating opioid crisis, and the state of New Hampshire (NH) has been disproportionately impacted. Naloxone is an opioid overdose reversal medication that is critical for saving lives. This study was conducted to understand emergency responders' and opioid users' experiences with, and opinions about, naloxone use and distribution in NH.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 76 opioid users and 36 emergency responders in six NH counties in 2016-2017. Interviews focused on respondents' experiences with opioid use and overdose. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and reviewed for consensus among coders. Directed content analysis was used to review high-level domains and identify subthemes.

RESULTS

Users and responders largely agreed that naloxone had become increasingly available in NH at the time of the study. Reported responder barriers to naloxone acceptance included perceptions that increased naloxone availability may enable riskier opioid use and fails to address the underlying causes of addiction. Reported opioid-user barriers included cost, legality, and lack of knowledge regarding distribution locations and indications for use.

CONCLUSION

Opioid users' and emergency responders' perceptions about naloxone may limit the optimal use of naloxone within the community. This study identifies opportunities to address misconceptions about naloxone and challenges in accessing naloxone, which may improve opioid overdose prevention strategies.

An Innovative Model for Naloxone Use Within an OTP Setting: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

Unintentional opioid overdose deaths are a public health crisis, and naloxone is the most effective harm reduction tool to curb many of these deaths. There is growing evidence that take-home naloxone can prevent opioid overdose in targeted populations. The goal of this study is to measure the opioid overdose reversal rate with take-home naloxone among participants with a diagnosis of opioid use disorder (OUD) in an opioid treatment program (OTP) setting.

METHODS

Patients enrolled in an outpatient OTP program were eligible for this prospective cohort study between April 4, 2016 and July 4, 2016. Two hundred forty-four study participants received overdose education, instruction on how to use naloxone, and were provided with 2 doses of a take-home naloxone auto-injector kit. They were subsequently followed for 3 months.

RESULTS

Thirty-one study participants reported overdose reversals using naloxone auto-injector kits on 38 community members. All overdose reversals were heroin-related. Eighty-seven per cent of the community members reversed with naloxone were friends or relatives of the study participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study validates that naloxone is not commonly used on the index study participant, but is often used on a secondary target among people who inject drugs. The large number of overdose reversals reported in this prospective study suggests that this novel model for naloxone use may be replicated at other OTP settings to reduce opioid overdose deaths.

A Dissemination and Implementation Science Approach to the Epidemic of Opioid Use Disorder in the United States

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to (1) conceptualize the complexity of the opioid use disorder epidemic using a conceptual model grounded in the disease continuum and corresponding levels of prevention and (2) summarize a select set of interventions for the prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder.

RECENT FINDINGS

Epidemiologic data indicate non-medical prescription and illicit opioid use have reached unprecedented levels, fueling an opioid use disorder epidemic in the USA. A problem of this magnitude is rooted in multiple supply- and demand-side drivers, the combined effect of which outweighs current prevention and treatment efforts. Multiple primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention interventions, both evidence-informed and evidence-based, are available to address each point along the disease continuum-non-use, initiation, dependence, addiction, and death. If interventions grounded in the best available evidence are disseminated and implemented across the disease continuum in a coordinated and collaborative manner, public health systems could be increasingly effective in responding to the epidemic.

Reduction of Injection-Related Risk Behaviors After Emergency Implementation of a Syringe Services Program During an HIV Outbreak

OBJECTIVE

To describe injection-related HIV risk behaviors preimplementation and postimplementation of an emergency syringe services program (SSP) in Scott County, Indiana, after an HIV outbreak among persons who inject drugs (PWID).

DESIGN

Mixed methods retrospective pre-post intervention analysis.

METHODS

We analyzed routine SSP program data collected at first and most recent visit among clients with ≥2 visits, ≥7 days apart from April 4 to August 30, 2015, to quantify changes in injection-related risk behaviors. We also analyzed qualitative data collected from 56 PWID recruited in Scott County to understand factors contributing to these behaviors.

RESULTS

SSP clients included in our analysis (n = 148, 62% of all SSP clients) reported significant (P < 0.001) reductions over a median 10 weeks (range 1-23) in syringe sharing to inject (18%-2%) and divide drugs (19%-4%), sharing other injection equipment (eg, cookers) (24%-5%), and number of uses of the same syringe [2 (interquartile range: 1-4) to 1 (interquartile range: 1-1)]. Qualitative study participants described access to sterile syringes and safer injection education through the SSP, as explanatory factors for these reductions. Injection frequency findings were mixed, but overall suggested no change. The number of syringes returned by SSP clients increased from 0 at first visit to median 57. All qualitative study participants reported using sharps containers provided by the SSP.

CONCLUSIONS

Analyses of an SSP program and in-depth qualitative interview data showed rapid reduction of injection-related HIV risk behaviors among PWID post-SSP implementation. Sterile syringe access as part of comprehensive HIV prevention is an important tool to control and prevent HIV outbreaks.

Opioid overdose response training in pharmacy education: An analysis of students' perception of naloxone use for opioid overdose prevention

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pharmacists in New Mexico have prescriptive authority to prescribe naloxone. However, no formal naloxone training has been provided for students at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING

Training was incorporated into a pharmaceutical care laboratory course. First-year (P1) (n = 63) and third-year (P3) (n = 78) pharmacy students were asked to answer a pre- and post-training survey. The survey was designed to assess students' self-rated knowledge, clinical-type skills related to naloxone and opioids, and attitude toward prescribing naloxone. In class students reviewed the epidemiology of opioid overdose and risk assessment methods for patients, and the students practiced using an intranasal spray and an auto injector.

FINDINGS

The pre-survey showed that P3 students had higher confidence levels in regards to naloxone therapy compared with P1 students. However, educational materials significantly increased confidence levels in drug knowledge, clinical-type skills, and patient counseling in both cohorts. The P3 cohort tended to be more likely to disagree with advertisements about the availability of naloxone therapy by pharmacists as compared to the P1 cohort.

SUMMARY

P1 and P3 students demonstrated improved knowledge, skills, and attitudes in regards to naloxone therapy and dispensing. Naloxone training is essential to increase pharmacy students' knowledge about opioid overdose and naloxone benefits. Although the training helped increase students' confidence level, additional practical training and longitudinal instruction in a pharmacy curriculum would be valuable so that students could transfer the knowledge into practice as a pharmacist.

Adoption and Utilization of an Emergency Department Naloxone Distribution and Peer Recovery Coach Consultation Program

OBJECTIVE

Rising rates of opioid overdose deaths require innovative programs to prevent and reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates adoption, utilization, and maintenance of an emergency department (ED) take-home naloxone and peer recovery coach consultation program for ED patients at risk of opioid overdose.

METHODS

Using a Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, we conducted a retrospective provider survey and electronic medical record (EMR) review to evaluate implementation of a naloxone distribution and peer recovery coach consultation program at two EDs. Provider adoption was measured by self-report using a novel survey instrument. EMRs of discharged ED patients at risk for opioid overdose were reviewed in three time periods: preimplementation, postimplementation, and maintenance. Primary study outcomes were take-home naloxone provision and recovery coach consultation. Secondary study outcome was referral to treatment. Chi-square analysis was used for study period comparisons. Logistic regression was conducted to examine utilization moderators. Poisson regression modeled utilization changes over time.

RESULTS

Most providers reported utilization (72.8%, 83/114): 95.2% (79/83) provided take-home naloxone and 85.5% (71/83) consulted a recovery coach. There were 555 unique patients treated and discharged during the study periods: 131 preimplementation, 376 postimplementation, and 48 maintenance. Postimplementation provision of take-home naloxone increased from none to more than one-third (35.4%, p < 0.001), one-third received consultation with a recovery coach (33.1%, 45/136), and discharge with referral to treatment increased from 9.16% to 20.74% (p = 0.003). Take-home naloxone provision and recovery coach consultation did not depreciate over time.

CONCLUSIONS

ED naloxone distribution and consultation of a community-based peer recovery coach are feasible and acceptable and can be maintained over time.

Naloxone Distribution and Training for Patients with High-Risk Opioid Use in a Veterans Affairs Community-Based Primary Care Clinic

CONTEXT

Naloxone distribution has historically been implemented in a community-based, expanded public health model; however, there is now a need to further explore primary care clinic-based naloxone delivery to effectively address the nationwide opioid epidemic.

OBJECTIVE

To create a general medicine infrastructure to identify patients with high-risk opioid use and provide 25% of this population with naloxone autoinjector prescription and training within a 6-month period.

DESIGN

The quality improvement study was conducted at an outpatient clinic serving 1238 marginally housed veterans with high rates of comorbid substance use and mental health disorders. Patients at high risk of opioid-related adverse events were identified using the Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Management and were contacted to participate in a one-on-one, 15-minute, hands-on naloxone training led by nursing staff.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The number of patients identified at high risk and rates of naloxone training/distribution.

RESULTS

There were 67 patients identified as having high-risk opioid use. None of these patients had been prescribed naloxone at baseline. At the end of the intervention, 61 patients (91%) had been trained in the use of naloxone. Naloxone was primarily distributed by licensed vocational nurses (42/61, 69%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility of high-risk patient identification and of a primary care-based and nursing-championed naloxone distribution model. This delivery model has the potential to provide access to naloxone to a population of patients with opioid use who may not be engaged in mental health or specialty care.

Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program Attendees: Who Attends, What Do They Know, and How Do They Feel?

CONTEXT

The United States is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. Opioids killed more than 28 000 people in 2014, more than any year on record. One approach to addressing this growing epidemic is Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) training. Little is known about these programs' participants and their effectiveness across different demographic groups.

OBJECTIVES

To examine (1) whether knowledge and attitudes improved over the course of the training programs; (2) whether training outcomes differ by demographics; and (3) what overdose experiences do attendees have, and whether those experiences influence their knowledge and attitudes.

DESIGN

A pre- and posttest survey was used to collect data on participants' demographics, overdose experiences, and opioid overdose knowledge and attitudes.

SETTING

Surveys that took place at community-wide OEND programs were offered throughout Erie County, New York, during October and November 2015.

PARTICIPANTS

Community members who elected to attend the training programs, were at least 18 years of age, spoke English, and were willing and able to participate were included in the sample (N = 198).

INTERVENTION

N/A.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The Opioid Overdose Knowledge and Attitudes Scale.

RESULTS

Knowledge and attitude scores significantly improved from pre- to posttest assessments, increasing by 23.1% and 15.4%, respectively (Ps < .001). There were significant demographic differences in knowledge and attitudes at the pretest assessment, but these differences were ameliorated by the OEND program and did not persist at posttest assessment. In addition, 62.9% of participants had never experienced, witnessed, or known someone who had overdosed.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that OEND programs are effective at improving knowledge and attitudes toward opioid overdose. These results indicate that OEND programs are not reaching the highest risk individuals but are instead attracting concerned family and significant others. Future programs should focus on reaching current opioid users, overdose victims, and their families to ensure OEND programs are reaching the target audiences.

2017 HIVMA of IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Chronic Pain in Patients Living With HIV

Pain has always been an important part of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and its experience for patients. In this guideline, we review the types of chronic pain commonly seen among persons living with HIV (PLWH) and review the limited evidence base for treatment of chronic noncancer pain in this population. We also review the management of chronic pain in special populations of PLWH, including persons with substance use and mental health disorders. Finally, a general review of possible pharmacokinetic interactions is included to assist the HIV clinician in the treatment of chronic pain in this population.It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. The Infectious Diseases Society of American considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances.

Effects of naloxone distribution to likely bystanders: Results of an agent-based model

BACKGROUND

Opioid overdose deaths in the US rose dramatically in the past 16 years, creating an urgent national health crisis with no signs of immediate relief. In 2017, the President of the US officially declared the opioid epidemic to be a national emergency and called for additional resources to respond to the crisis. Distributing naloxone to community laypersons and people at high risk for opioid overdose can prevent overdose death, but optimal distribution methods have not yet been pinpointed.

METHODS

We conducted a sequential exploratory mixed methods design using qualitative data to inform an agent-based model to improve understanding of effective community-based naloxone distribution to laypersons to reverse opioid overdose. The individuals in the model were endowed with cognitive and behavioral variables and accessed naloxone via community sites such as pharmacies, hospitals, and urgent-care centers. We compared overdose deaths over a simulated 6-month period while varying the number of distribution sites (0, 1, and 10) and number of kits given to individuals per visit (1 versus 10). Specifically, we ran thirty simulations for each of thirteen distribution models and report average overdose deaths for each. The baseline comparator was no naloxone distribution. Our simulations explored the effects of distribution through syringe exchange sites with and without secondary distribution, which refers to distribution of naloxone kits by laypersons within their social networks and enables ten additional laypersons to administer naloxone to reverse opioid overdose.

RESULTS

Our baseline model with no naloxone distribution predicted there would be 167.9 deaths in a six month period. A single distribution site, even with 10 kits picked up per visit, decreased overdose deaths by only 8.3% relative to baseline. However, adding secondary distribution through social networks to a single site resulted in 42.5% fewer overdose deaths relative to baseline. That is slightly higher than the 39.9% decrease associated with a tenfold increase in the number of sites, all distributing ten kits but with no secondary distribution. This suggests that, as long as multiple kits are picked up per visit, adding secondary distribution is at least as effective as increasing sites from one to ten. Combining the addition of secondary distribution with an increase in sites from one to ten resulted in a 61.1% drop in deaths relative to the baseline. Adding distribution through a syringe exchange site resulted in a drop of approximately 65% of deaths relative to baseline. In fact, when enabling distribution through a clean-syringe site, the secondary distribution through networks contributed no additional drops in deaths.

CONCLUSION

Community-based naloxone distribution to reverse opioid overdose may significantly reduce deaths. Optimal distribution methods may include secondary distribution so that the person who picks up naloxone kits can enable others in the community to administer naloxone, as well as targeting naloxone distribution to sites where individuals at high-risk for opioid overdose death are likely to visit, such as syringe-exchange programs. This study design, which paired exploratory qualitative data with agent-based modeling, can be used in other settings seeking to implement and improve naloxone distribution programs.

Naloxone dosage for opioid reversal: current evidence and clinical implications

Opioid-related mortality is a growing problem in the United States, and in 2015 there were over 33,000 opioid-related deaths. To combat this mortality trend, naloxone is increasingly being utilized in a pre-hospital setting by emergency personnel and prescribed to laypersons for out-of-hospital administration. With increased utilization of naloxone there has been a subsequent reduction in mortality following an opioid overdose. Reversal of opioid toxicity may precipitate an opioid-withdrawal syndrome. At the same time, there is a risk of inadequate response or re-narcotization after the administration of a single dose of naloxone in patients who have taken large doses or long-acting opioid formulations, as the duration of effect of naloxone is shorter than that of many opioid agonists. As out-of-hospital use of this medication is growing, so too is concern about effective but safe dosing.

Is systematic training in opioid overdose prevention effective?

The objectives were to analyze the knowledge about overdose prevention, the use of naloxone, and the number of fatal overdoses after the implementation of Systematic Training in Overdose Prevention (STOOP) program. We conducted a quasi-experimental study, and held face-to-face interviews before (n = 725) and after (n = 722) implementation of systematic training in two different samples of people who injected opioids attending harm reduction centers. We asked participants to list the main causes of overdose and the main actions that should be taken when witnessing an overdose. We created two dependent variables, the number of (a) correct and (b) incorrect answers. The main independent variable was Study Group: Intervention Group (IG), Comparison Group (CG), Pre-Intervention Group With Sporadic Training in Overdose Prevention (PREIGS), or Pre-Intervention Group Without Training in Overdose Prevention (PREIGW). The relationship between the dependent and independent variables was assessed using a multivariate Poisson regression analysis. Finally, we conducted an interrupted time series analysis of monthly fatal overdoses before and after the implementation of systematic program during the period 2006–2015. Knowledge of overdose prevention increased after implementing systematic training program. Compared to the PREIGW, the IG gave more correct answers (IRR = 1.40;95%CI:1.33–1.47), and fewer incorrect answers (IRR = 0.33;95%CI:0.25–0.44). Forty percent of people who injected opioids who received a naloxone kit had used the kit in response to an overdose they witnessed. These courses increase knowledge of overdose prevention in people who use opioids, give them the necessary skills to use naloxone, and slightly diminish the number of fatal opioid overdoses in the city of Barcelona.

Intranasal naloxone and related strategies for opioid overdose intervention by nonmedical personnel: a review

Deaths due to prescription and illicit opioid overdose have been rising at an alarming rate, particularly in the USA. Although naloxone injection is a safe and effective treatment for opioid overdose, it is frequently unavailable in a timely manner due to legal and practical restrictions on its use by laypeople. As a result, an effort spanning decades has resulted in the development of strategies to make naloxone available for layperson or "take-home" use. This has included the development of naloxone formulations that are easier to administer for nonmedical users, such as intranasal and autoinjector intramuscular delivery systems, efforts to distribute naloxone to potentially high-impact categories of nonmedical users, as well as efforts to reduce regulatory barriers to more widespread distribution and use. Here we review the historical and current literature on the efficacy and safety of naloxone for use by nonmedical persons, provide an evidence-based discussion of the controversies regarding the safety and efficacy of different formulations of take-home naloxone, and assess the status of current efforts to increase its public distribution. Take-home naloxone is safe and effective for the treatment of opioid overdose when administered by laypeople in a community setting, shortening the time to reversal of opioid toxicity and reducing opioid-related deaths. Complementary strategies have together shown promise for increased dissemination of take-home naloxone, including 1) provision of education and training; 2) distribution to critical populations such as persons with opioid addiction, family members, and first responders; 3) reduction of prescribing barriers to access; and 4) reduction of legal recrimination fears as barriers to use. Although there has been considerable progress in decreasing the regulatory and legal barriers to effective implementation of community naloxone programs, significant barriers still exist, and much work remains to be done to integrate these programs into efforts to provide effective treatment of opioid use disorders.

Why are some people who have received overdose education and naloxone reticent to call Emergency Medical Services in the event of overdose?

BACKGROUND

Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) training for persons who inject drugs (PWID) underlines the importance of summoning emergency medical services (EMS). To encourage PWID to do so, Colorado enacted a Good Samaritan law providing limited immunity from prosecution for possession of a controlled substance and/or drug paraphernalia to the overdose victim and the witnesses who in good faith provide emergency assistance. This paper examines the law's influence by describing OEND trained PWIDs' experience reversing overdoses and their decision about calling for EMS support.

METHODS

Findings from two complementary studies, a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with OEND trained PWID who had reversed one or more overdoses, and an on-going fieldwork-based project examining PWIDs' self-identified health concerns were triangulated to describe and explain participants' decision to call for EMS.

RESULTS

In most overdose reversals described, no EMS call was made. Participants reported several reasons for not doing so. Most frequent was the fear that despite the Good Samaritan law, a police response would result in arrest of the victim and/or witness for outstanding warrants, or sentence violations. Fears were based on individual and collective experience, and reinforced by the city of Denver's aggressive approach to managing homelessness through increased enforcement of misdemeanors and the imposition of more recent ordinances, including a camping ban, to control space. The city's homeless crisis was reflected as well in the concern expressed by housed PWID that an EMS intervention would jeopardize their public housing.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that the immunity provided by the Good Samaritan law does not address PWIDs' fear that their current legal status as well as the victim's will result in arrest and incarceration. As currently conceived, the Good Samaritan law does not provide immunity for PWIDs' already enmeshed in the criminal justice system, or PWID fearful of losing their housing.

Patient perspectives on an opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution program in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

BACKGROUND

In an effort to prevent opioid overdose mortality among Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities began implementing opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) in 2013 and a national program began in 2014. VA is the first national health care system to implement OEND. The goal of this study is to examine patient perceptions of OEND training and naloxone kits.

METHODS

Four focus groups were conducted between December 2014 and February 2015 with 21 patients trained in OEND. Participants were recruited from a VA residential facility in California with a substance use disorder treatment program (mandatory OEND training) and a homeless program (optional OEND training). Data were analyzed using matrices and open and closed coding approaches to identify participants' perspectives on OEND training including benefits, concerns, differing opinions, and suggestions for improvement.

RESULTS

Veterans thought OEND training was interesting, novel, and empowering, and that naloxone kits will save lives. Some veterans expressed concern about using syringes in the kits. A few patients who never used opioids were not interested in receiving kits. Veterans had differing opinions about legal and liability issues, whether naloxone kits might contribute to relapse, and whether and how to involve family in training. Some veterans expressed uncertainty about the effects of naloxone. Suggested improvements included active learning approaches, enhanced training materials, and increased advertisement.

CONCLUSIONS

OEND training was generally well received among study participants, including those with no indication for a naloxone kit. Patients described a need for OEND and believed it could save lives. Patient feedback on OEND training benefits, concerns, opinions, and suggestions provides important insights to inform future OEND training programs both within VA and in other health care settings. Training is critical to maximizing the potential for OEND to save lives, and this study includes specific suggestions for improving the effectiveness and acceptability of training.

Development of a proto-typology of opiate overdose onset

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The time available to act is a crucial factor affecting the probable success of interventions to manage opiate overdose. We analyse opiate users' accounts of non-fatal overdose incidents to (i) construct a proto-typology of non-fatal opiate overdose onset and (ii) assess the implications for overdose management and prevention of fatalities.

METHODS

Re-analysis of a subset of data from a large qualitative study of non-fatal opiate overdose conducted from 1997 to 1999. Data were generated from semi-structured interviews undertaken with opiate users who had experienced a non-fatal overdose in the previous 24 hours. Forty-four participants (30 men; 14 women; aged 16-47 years) provided sufficient information for in-depth analysis. Data relating to 'memory of the moment of overdose', 'time to loss of consciousness' and 'subjective description of the overdose experience' were scrutinised using iterative categorization.

FINDINGS

Four types of overdose onset were identified: type A 'amnesic' (n = 8), characterized by no memory, rapid loss of consciousness and no description of the overdose experience; type B 'conscious' (n = 17), characterized by some memory, sustained consciousness and a description of the overdose in terms of feeling unwell and symptomatic; type C 'instant' (n = 14), characterized by some memory, immediate loss of consciousness and no description of the overdose experience; and type D 'enjoyable' (n = 5), characterized by some memory, rapid loss of consciousness and a description of the overdose experience as pleasant or positive.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of different types of overdose onset highlights the complexity of overdose events, the need for a range of interventions and the challenges faced in managing incidents and preventing fatalities. Opiate overdose victims who retain consciousness for a sustained period and recognize the negative signs and symptoms of overdosing could summon help or self-administer naloxone, thus indicating that opiate overdose training should incorporate self-management strategies.

Heroin overdose

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This narrative review aims to provide a brief history of the development of the heroin overdose field by discussing a selection of major 'classics' from the latter part of the 20th century.

METHODS

Papers considered landmarks were selected from 1972, 1977, 1983, 1984 and 1999.

RESULTS

Findings of earlier works suggest much of what later research was to demonstrate. These include arguing that overdoses occurred primarily among tolerant older users, that most 'overdose' deaths involved low morphine concentrations, that most overdoses involve polypharmacy, that drug purity has only a moderate influence on overdose rates and that instant death following heroin administration is rare.

CONCLUSIONS

Landmark studies of heroin overdose from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s laid the foundations for subsequent overdose research, mainly by identifying the major demographic characteristics of overdose cases, risk factors, survival times and behaviours at overdose events.

Academic physicians' and medical students' perceived barriers toward bystander administered naloxone as an overdose prevention strategy

AIMS

To identify perceived barriers to the prescription of naloxone to third-party contacts of opiate users.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive study.

SETTING

Two academic hospitals in Baltimore, MD, USA.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty medical providers, including both physicians and medical students.

MEASUREMENTS

Qualitative; in-depth interviews and focus groups analyzed using line-by-line, focused, and axial coding based on methods adapted from grounded theory.

FINDINGS

Academic physicians and medical students cited three categories of barriers to naloxone prescription related to drug, provider, and patient characteristics. Concerns about naloxone itself included inability to prevent addictive behaviors, duration of action, medical risks, expiration date, and route of administration. Concerns about medical providers included lack of knowledge or experience, medical community common practices and norms, insufficient provision of third-party education, physician and clinic scheduling practices, worry about insulting patients, and fear of being viewed as enabling drug abuse. Concerns about patients included increased risk-taking behaviors, opiate withdrawal symptoms, potential repeat overdose related to withdrawal-discomfort, decreased contact with medical providers, and stigma.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimizing barriers to naloxone provision may increase acceptability and prescription practice in the medical community. Addressing these barriers from multiple provider perspectives is critical to advance naloxone prescription as a harm reduction strategy, which has the potential to prevent opiate overdoses.

Awareness and Attitudes Toward Intranasal Naloxone Rescue for Opioid Overdose Prevention

Opioid overdose prevention is a pressing public health concern and intranasal naloxone rescue kits are a useful tool in preventing fatal overdose. We evaluated the attitudes, knowledge, and experiences of patients and providers related to overdose and naloxone rescue. Over a six month period, patients and providers within a large community hospital in Staten Island were recruited to complete tailored questionnaires for their respective groupings. 100 patients and 101 providers completed questionnaires between August, 2014 and January, 2015. Patient participants were primarily Caucasian males with a mean age of 37.7 years, of which 65% accurately identified naloxone for opioid overdose, but only 21% knew more specific clinical features. 68% of patients had previously witnessed a drug overdose. Notably, 58% of patients anticipated their behavior would change if provided access to an intranasal naloxone rescue kit, of which 83% predicted an increase in opioid use. Prior overdose was significantly correlated with anticipating no change in subsequent opioid use pattern (p=0.02). 99% of patients reported that their rapport with their health-care provider would be enhanced if offered an intranasal naloxone rescue kit. As for providers, 24% had completed naloxone rescue kit training, and 96% were able to properly identify its clinical application. 50% of providers felt naloxone access would decrease the likelihood of an overdose occurring, and 58% felt it would not contribute to high-risk behavior. Among providers, completion of naloxone training was correlated with increased awareness of where to access kits for patients (p<0.001). This study suggests that patients and providers have distinct beliefs and attitudes toward overdose prevention. Patient-Provider discussion of overdose prevention enhances patients' rapport with providers. However, access to an intranasal naloxone rescue kit may make some patients more vulnerable to high-risk behavior. Future research efforts examining provider and patient beliefs and practices are needed to help develop and implement effective hospital-based opioid overdose prevention strategies.

Are take-home naloxone programmes effective? Systematic review utilizing application of the Bradford Hill criteria

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Fatal outcome of opioid overdose, once detected, is preventable through timely administration of the antidote naloxone. Take-home naloxone provision directly to opioid users for emergency use has been implemented recently in more than 15 countries worldwide, albeit mainly as pilot schemes and without formal evaluation. This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of take-home naloxone, with two specific aims: (1) to study the impact of take-home naloxone distribution on overdose-related mortality; and (2) to assess the safety of take-home naloxone in terms of adverse events.

METHODS

PubMed, MEDLINE and PsychINFO were searched for English-language peer-reviewed publications (randomized or observational trials) using the Boolean search query: (opioid OR opiate) AND overdose AND prevention. Evidence was evaluated using the nine Bradford Hill criteria for causation, devised to assess a potential causal relationship between public health interventions and clinical outcomes when only observational data are available.

RESULTS

A total of 1397 records (1164 after removal of duplicates) were retrieved, with 22 observational studies meeting eligibility criteria. Due to variability in size and quality of the included studies, meta-analysis was dismissed in favour of narrative synthesis. From eligible studies, we found take-home naloxone met all nine Bradford Hill criteria. The additional five World Health Organization criteria were all either met partially (two) or fully (three). Even with take-home naloxone administration, fatal outcome was reported in one in 123 overdose cases (0.8%; 95% confidence interval = 0.4, 1.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Take-home naloxone programmes are found to reduce overdose mortality among programme participants and in the community and have a low rate of adverse events.

Predictors of seeking emergency medical help during overdose events in a provincial naloxone distribution programme: a retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to identify factors that may be associated with help-seeking by witnesses during overdoses where naloxone is administered.

SETTING

Overdose events occurred in and were reported from the five regional health authorities across British Columbia, Canada. Naloxone administration forms completed following overdose events were submitted to the British Columbia Take Home Naloxone programme.

PARTICIPANTS

All 182 reported naloxone administration events, reported by adult men and women and occurring between 31 August 2012 and 31 March 2015, were considered for inclusion in the analysis. Of these, 18 were excluded: 10 events which were reported by the person who overdosed, and 8 events for which completed forms did not indicate whether or not emergency medical help was sought.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Seeking emergency medical help (calling 911), as reported by participants, was the sole outcome measure of this analysis.

RESULTS

Medical help was sought (emergency services-911 called) in 89 (54.3%) of 164 overdoses where naloxone was administered. The majority of administration events occurred in private residences (50.6%) and on the street (23.4%), where reported rates of calling 911 were 27.5% and 81.1%, respectively. Overdoses occurring on the street (compared to private residence) were significantly associated with higher odds of calling 911 in multivariate analysis (OR=10.68; 95% CI 2.83 to 51.87; p<0.01), after adjusting for other variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Overdoses occurring on the street were associated with higher odds of seeking emergency medical help by responders. Further research is needed to determine if sex and stimulant use by the person who overdosed are associated with seeking emergency medical help. The results of this study will inform interventions within the British Columbia Take Home Naloxone programme and other jurisdictions to encourage seeking emergency medical help.

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase as a novel approach to high dose diazepam induced hypotension

CONTEXT

Hypotension is one of the dose limiting side effects of benzodiazepines (BZDs), in particular of diazepam (DZP) which is still widely used in the clinic. Currently, only one FDA approved antidote exists for BZD overdose and novel approaches are needed to improve management of DZP overdose, dependency and withdrawal.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we hypothesized that increasing bioactive lipid mediators termed epoxy fatty acids (EpFAs) will prevent hypotension, as was shown previously in a murine model of LPS-induced hypotension. Therefore, we first characterized the time and dose dependent profile of DZP induced hypotension in mice, and then investigated the reversal of the hypotensive effect by inhibiting the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), an enzyme that regulates the levels of EpFAs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following baseline systolic BP recording using tail cuffs, mice were administered a sEH inhibitor (TPPU) before DZP and BP was monitored. Blood and brain levels of DZP and TPPU were quantified to examine distribution and metabolism. Plasma EpFAs levels were quantified to determine TPPU target engagement.

RESULTS

In this murine model, DZP induced dose dependent hypotension which was more severe than midazolam. The temporal profile was consistent with the reported pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of DZP. Treatment with TPPU reversed the hypotension resulting from high doses of DZP and decreased the sEH metabolites of EpFAs in the plasma demonstrating target engagement.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Overall, these findings demonstrate the similarity of a murine model of DZP induced hypotension to clinical observations in humans. Furthermore, we demonstrate that stabilization of EpFAs by inhibiting sEH is a novel approach to overcome DZP-induced hypotension and this beneficial effect can be enhanced by an omega three diet probably acting through epoxide metabolites of the fatty acids.

Effectiveness of Scotland's National Naloxone Programme for reducing opioid-related deaths: a before (2006-10) versus after (2011-13) comparison

AIMS

To assess the effectiveness for Scotland's National Naloxone Programme (NNP) by comparison between 2006-10 (before) and 2011-13 (after NNP started in January 2011) and to assess cost-effectiveness.

DESIGN

This was a pre-post evaluation of a national policy. Cost-effectiveness was assessed by prescription costs against life-years gained per opioid-related death (ORD) averted.

SETTING

Scotland, in community settings and all prisons.

INTERVENTION

Brief training and standardized naloxone supply became available to individuals at risk of opioid overdose.

MEASUREMENTS

ORDs as identified by National Records of Scotland. Look-back determined the proportion of ORDs who, in the 4 weeks before ORD, had been (i) released from prison (primary outcome) and (ii) released from prison or discharged from hospital (secondary). We report 95% confidence intervals for effectiveness in reducing the primary (and secondary) outcome in 2011-13 versus 2006-10. Prescription costs were assessed against 1 or 10 life-years gained per averted ORD.

FINDINGS

In 2006-10, 9.8% of ORDs (193 of 1970) were in people released from prison within 4 weeks of death, whereas only 6.3% of ORDs in 2011-13 followed prison release (76 of 1212, P < 0.001; this represented a difference of 3.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-5.4%)]. This reduction in the proportion of prison release ORDs translates into 42 fewer prison release ORDs (95% CI = 19-65) during 2011-13, when 12,000 naloxone kits were issued at current prescription cost of £225,000. Scotland's secondary outcome reduced from 19.0 to 14.9%, a difference of 4.1% (95% CI = 1.4-6.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Scotland's National Naloxone Programme, which started in 2011, was associated with a 36% reduction in the proportion of opioid-related deaths that occurred in the 4 weeks following release from prison.

Worldwide Prevalence and Trends in Unintentional Drug Overdose: A Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Drug overdose is an important, yet an inadequately understood, public health problem. Global attention to unintentional drug overdose has been limited by comparison with the scope of the problem. There has been a substantial increase in drug overdose incidence and prevalence in several countries worldwide over the past decade, contributing to both increased costs and mortality.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to systematically synthesize the peer-reviewed literature to document the global epidemiological profile of unintentional drug overdoses and the prevalence, time trends, mortality rates, and correlates of drug overdoses. We searched different combinations of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms in PubMed for articles published from 1980 until July 2013, and we organized these results in tabular spreadsheets and compared them. We restricted the search to English-language articles that deal with unintentional overdose, focusing on 1 or more of the following key constructs: prevalence, time trends, mortality rates, and correlates. The term "overdose" as a MeSH major topic yielded 1076 publications. In addition, we searched the following combinations of nonmajor MeSH terms: "street drugs" and "overdose" yielded 180, "death" and "overdose" yielded 114, and "poisoning" and "drug users" yielded 17. There was some overlap among the searches. Based on the search and inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected a total of 169 relevant articles for this article based on a close review of abstracts.

RESULTS

We found wide variability in lifetime prevalence of experiencing a nonfatal overdose or witnessing an overdose, and in mortality rates attributable to overdose. Lifetime prevalence of witnessed overdose among drug users (n = 17 samples) ranged from 50% to 96%, with a mean of 73.3%, a median of 70%, and a standard deviation of 14.1%. Lifetime prevalence of drug users personally experiencing a nonfatal overdose (n = 27 samples), ranged from 16.6% to 68.0% with a mean of 45.4%, a median of 47%, and a standard deviation of 14.4%. Population-based crude overdose mortality rates (n = 28 samples) ranged from 0.04 to 46.6 per 100 000 person-years. This range is likely attributable to the diversity in regions, time periods, and samples. Most studies on longitudinal trends of overdose death rates or overdose-related hospitalization rates showed increases in overdose death rates and in overdose-related hospitalization rates across time, which have led to peaks in these rates at the present time. An overall trend of increasing deaths from prescription opioid use and decreasing deaths from illicit drug use in the past several years has been noted across most of the literature. With the increase in prescription opioid overdose deaths, drug overdose is not just an urban problem: rural areas have seen an important increase in overdose deaths. Lastly, cocaine, prescription opioids, and heroin are the drugs most commonly associated with unintentional drug overdoses worldwide and the demographic and psychiatric correlates associated with unintentional drug overdoses are similar globally.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need to invest in research to understand the distinct determinants of prescription drug overdose worldwide. Several other countries need to collect in a systematic and continuous fashion such data on sales of prescription opioids and other prescription drugs, nonmedical use of prescription drugs, and hospitalization secondary to overdoses on prescription drugs. The sparse evidence on the environmental determinants of overdose suggests a need for research that will inform the types of environmental interventions we can use to prevent drug overdose. Methodological issues for future studies include enhancing data collection methods on unintentional fatal and nonfatal overdoses, and collecting more detailed information on drug use history, source of drug use (for prescription drugs), and demographic and psychiatric history characteristics of the individual who overdosed.

Legal changes to increase access to naloxone for opioid overdose reversal in the United States

BACKGROUND

Opioid overdose, which has reached epidemic levels in the United States, is reversible by administration of the medication naloxone. Naloxone requires a prescription but is not a controlled substance and has no abuse potential. In the last half-decade, the majority of states have modified their laws to increase layperson access to the medication.

METHODS

We utilized a structured legal research protocol to systematically identify and review all statutes and regulations related to layperson naloxone access in the United States that had been adopted as of September, 2015. Each law discovered via this process was reviewed and coded by two trained legal researchers.

RESULTS

As of September, 2015, 43 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws intended to increase layperson naloxone access. We categorized these laws into three domains: (1) laws intended to increase naloxone prescribing and distribution, (2) laws intended to increase pharmacy naloxone access, and (3) laws intended to encourage overdose witnesses to summon emergency responders. These laws vary greatly across states in such characteristics as the types of individuals who can receive a prescription for naloxone, whether laypeople can dispense the medication, and immunity provided to those who prescribe, dispense and administer naloxone or report an overdose emergency.

CONCLUSIONS

Most states have now passed laws intended to increase layperson access to naloxone. While these laws will likely reduce overdose morbidity and mortality, the cost of naloxone and its prescription status remain barriers to more widespread access.

Effectiveness of bystander naloxone administration and overdose education programs: a meta-analysis

The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of bystander naloxone administration and overdose education programs by synthesizing quantitative results reported in the research literature. Studies meeting predefined criteria were identified and reviewed, and their results were synthesized through meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for overdose recoveries for individuals who received naloxone dispensed by non-medical community members, and the standardized mean difference was calculated for test scores of non-medical volunteers who received training in overdose management versus the scores of untrained volunteers. Pooled data from four studies showed that naloxone administration by bystanders was associated with a significantly increased odds of recovery compared with no naloxone administration (OR = 8.58, 95% CI = 3.90 to 13.25). Data from five studies of overdose education indicated that average scores were significantly higher for trained participants than untrained participants for tests on naloxone administration, overdose recognition, and overdose response (standardized mean difference = 1.35, 95% CI = 0.92 to 1.77). Empirical evidence in the research literature suggests that bystander naloxone administration and overdose education programs are associated with increased odds of recovery and with improved knowledge of overdose recognition and management in non-clinical settings.

Engaging Law Enforcement in Overdose Reversal Initiatives: Authorization and Liability for Naloxone Administration

Opioid overdose is reversible through the timely administration of naloxone, which has been used by emergency medical services for decades. Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are often the first emergency responders to arrive at an overdose, but they are not typically equipped with naloxone. This is rapidly changing; more than 220 law enforcement agencies in 24 states now carry naloxone. However, rollout in some departments has been hampered by concerns regarding officer and agency liability. We systematically examined the legal risk associated with LEO naloxone administration. LEOs can be authorized to administer naloxone through a variety of mechanisms, and liability risks related to naloxone administration are similar to or lower than those of other activities in which LEOs commonly engage.

Peering into the literature: A systematic review of the roles of people who inject drugs in harm reduction initiatives

BACKGROUND

People who inject drugs have been central to the development of harm reduction initiatives. Referred to as peer workers, peer helpers, or natural helpers, people with lived experience of drug use leverage their personal knowledge and skills to deliver harm reduction services. Addressing a gap in the literature, this systematic review focuses on the roles of people who inject drugs in harm reduction initiatives, how programs are organized, and obstacles and facilitators to engaging people with lived experience in harm reduction programs, in order to inform practice and future research.

METHODS

This systematic review included searches for both peer reviewed and gray literature. All titles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers. A structured data extraction tool was developed and utilized to systematically code information concerning peer roles and participation, program characteristics, obstacles, and facilitators.

RESULTS

On the basis of specific inclusion criteria 164 documents were selected, with 127 peer-reviewed and 37 gray literature references. Data extraction identified key harm reduction program characteristics and forms of participation including 36 peer roles grouped into five categories, as well as obstacles and facilitators at systemic, organizational, and individual levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Research on harm reduction programs that involve people with lived experience can help us better understand these approaches and demonstrate their value. Current evidence provides good descriptive content but the field lacks agreed-upon approaches to documenting the ways peer workers contribute to harm reduction initiatives. Implications and ten strategies to better support peer involvement in harm reduction programs are identified.

Excess mortality from mental, neurological and substance use disorders in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010

AIMS

Mortality-associated burden of disease estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 (GBD 2010) may erroneously lead to the interpretation that premature death in people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders (MNSDs) is inconsequential when evidence shows that people with MNSDs experience a significant reduction in life expectancy. We explore differences between cause-specific and excess mortality of MNSDs estimated by GBD 2010.

METHODS

GBD 2010 cause-specific death estimates were produced using the International Classification of Diseases death-coding system. Excess mortality (all-cause) was estimated using natural history models. Additional mortality attributed to MNSDs as underlying causes but not captured through GBD 2010 methodology is quantified in the comparative risk assessments.

RESULTS

In GBD 2010, MNSDs were estimated to be directly responsible for 840 000 deaths compared with more than 13 million excess deaths using natural history models.

CONCLUSIONS

Numbers of excess deaths and attributable deaths clearly demonstrate the high degree of mortality associated with these disorders. There is substantial evidence pointing to potential causal pathways for this premature mortality with evidence-based interventions available to address this mortality. The life expectancy gap between persons with MNSDs and the general population is high and should be a focus for health systems reform.

A Review of Opioid Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Prescribing: Implications for Translating Community Programming Into Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND

As physicians have increased opioid prescribing, overdose deaths from pharmaceutical opioids have substantially increased in the United States. Naloxone hydrochloride (naloxone), an opioid antagonist, is the standard of care for treatment of opioid induced respiratory depression. Since 1996, community-based programs have offered overdose prevention education and distributed naloxone for bystander administration to people who use opioids, particularly heroin. There is growing interest in translating overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) into conventional medical settings for patients who are prescribed pharmaceutical opioids. For this review, we summarized and classified existing publications on overdose education and naloxone distribution to identify evidence of effectiveness and opportunities for translation into conventional medical settings.

METHODS

For this review, we searched English language PubMed for articles on naloxone based on primary data collection from humans, including feasibility studies, program evaluations, surveys, qualitative studies, and studies comparing the effectiveness of different routes of naloxone administration. We also included cost-effectiveness studies.

RESULTS

We identified 41 articles that represented 5 categories: evaluations of OEND programs, effects of OEND programs on experiences and attitudes of participants, willingness of medical providers to prescribe naloxone, comparisons of different routes of naloxone administration, and the cost-effectiveness of naloxone.

CONCLUSIONS

Existing research suggests that people who are at risk for overdose and other bystanders are willing and able to be trained to prevent overdoses and administer naloxone. Counseling patients about the risks of opioid overdose and prescribing naloxone is an emerging clinical practice that may reduce fatalities from overdose while enhancing the safe prescribing of opioids.