8 research outputs found
Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Prescription for Opioid Users in San Francisco
Opiate overdose is a significant cause of mortality among injection drug users (IDUs) in the United States (US). Opiate overdose can be reversed by administering naloxone, an opiate antagonist. Among IDUs, prevalence of witnessing overdose events is high, and the provision of take-home naloxone to IDUs can be an important intervention to reduce the number of overdose fatalities. The Drug Overdose Prevention and Education (DOPE) Project was the first naloxone prescription program (NPP) established in partnership with a county health department (San Francisco Department of Public Health), and is one of the longest running NPPs in the USA. From September 2003 to December 2009, 1,942 individuals were trained and prescribed naloxone through the DOPE Project, of whom 24% returned to receive a naloxone refill, and 11% reported using naloxone during an overdose event. Of 399 overdose events where naloxone was used, participants reported that 89% were reversed. In addition, 83% of participants who reported overdose reversal attributed the reversal to their administration of naloxone, and fewer than 1% reported serious adverse effects. Findings from the DOPE Project add to a growing body of research that suggests that IDUs at high risk of witnessing overdose events are willing to be trained on overdose response strategies and use take-home naloxone during overdose events to prevent deaths
Attitudes of Australian heroin users to peer distribution of naloxone for heroin overdose: perspectives on intranasal administration
Naloxone distribution to injecting drug users (IDUs) for peer administration
is a suggested strategy to prevent fatal heroin overdose. The aim of this study was to
explore attitudes of IDUs to administration of naloxone to others after heroin overdose,
and preferences for method of administration. A sample of 99 IDUs (median age
35 years, 72% male) recruited from needle and syringe programs in Melbourne were
administered a questionnaire. Data collected included demographics, attitudes to
naloxone distribution, and preferences for method of administration. The primary
study outcomes were attitudes of IDUs to use of naloxone for peer administration
(categorized on a five-point scale ranging from âvery good ideaâ to âvery bad ideaâ)
and preferred mode of administration (intravenous, intramuscular, and intranasal). The
majority of the sample reported positive attitudes toward naloxone distribution (good
to very good idea: 89%) and 92% said they were willing to participate in a related
training program. Some participants raised concerns about peer administration
including the competence of IDUs to administer naloxone in an emergency, victim
response on wakening and legal implications. Most (74%) preferred intranasal
administration in comparison to other administration methods (21%). There was no
association with age, sex, or heroin practice. There appears to be strong support among
Australian IDU for naloxone distribution to peers. Intranasal spray is the preferred
route of administration