Evaluation of a naloxone distribution and administration program in New York City.
Naloxone, an opiate antagonist that can avert opiate overdose mortality, has only recently been prescribed to drug users in a few jurisdictions (Chicago, Baltimore, New Mexico, New York City, and San Francisco) in the United States. This report summarizes the first systematic evaluation of large-scale naloxone distribution among injection drug users (IDUs) in the United States. In 2005, we conducted an evaluation of a comprehensive overdose prevention and naloxone administration training program in New York City. One hundred twenty-two IDUs at syringe exchange programs (SEPs) were trained in Skills and Knowledge on Overdose Prevention (SKOOP), and all were given a prescription for naloxone by a physician. Participants in SKOOP were over the age of 18, current participants of SEPs, and current or former drug users. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed overdose experience and naloxone use. Naloxone was administered 82 times; 68 (83.0%) persons who had naloxone administered to them lived, and the outcome of 14 (17.1%) overdoses was unknown. Ninety-seven of 118 participants (82.2%) said they felt comfortable to very comfortable using naloxone if indicated; 94 of 109 (86.2%) said they would want naloxone administered if overdosing. Naloxone administration by IDUs is feasible as part of a comprehensive overdose prevention strategy and may be a practicable way to reduce overdose deaths on a larger scale.
Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Tinka Markham
TM
Piper
Sharon
S
Stancliff
Sasha
S
Rudenstine
Susan
S
Sherman
Vijay
V
Nandi
Allan
A
Clear
Sandro
S
Galea
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000379:methods; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000379:methods; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D009519:New York City; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone