title: Expanded access to naloxone among firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians in Massachusetts.
abstract: Naloxone is a medication that reverses respiratory depression from opioid overdose if given in time. Paramedics routinely administer naloxone to opioid overdose victims in the prehospital setting, and many states are moving to increase access to the medication. Several jurisdictions have expanded naloxone administration authority to nonparamedic first responders, and others are considering that step. We report here on policy change in Massachusetts, where several communities have equipped emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, and firefighters with naloxone.
authors.affiliation: Corey S. Davis is with the Network for Public Health Law-Southeastern Region, Carrboro, NC. Sarah Ruiz is with the Massachusetts Department of Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, Boston. Patrick Glynn is with the Special Investigations and Narcotics Unit, Quincy, MA, Police Department. Gerald Picariello is with the Revere, MA, Fire Department. Alexander Y. Walley is with the Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Department of Health, Opioid Overdose Prevention Pilot Program, Boston.
authors.forename: Corey S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Glynn
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Picariello
authors.forename: Alexander Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Walley
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D061388:Firefighters; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D009270:Naloxone / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016495:Police
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone