Open AccessEvaluation of the Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program of the Baltimore Student Harm Reduction Coalition
Author(s) -
D. Lewis,
Ju Nyeong Park,
Laura Vail,
Mark Sine,
Christopher Welsh,
Susan G. Sherman
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2016.303141
Subject(s) - (+) naloxone , harm reduction , opioid overdose , harm , medical prescription , drug overdose , medicine , poison control , psychiatry , medical emergency , opioid , family medicine , psychology , nursing , public health , social psychology , receptor
Although historically the majority of overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs have targeted opioid users, states are increasingly passing laws that enable third-party prescriptions of naloxone to individuals who may be able to respond to an overdose, including friends and family members of individuals who use opioids. In this report, we discuss the Baltimore Student Harm Reduction Coalition (BSHRC) OEND program, Maryland's first community-based, state-authorized training program under a new law allowing third-party naloxone prescription. In an 8-month pilot period, 250 free naloxone kits were distributed, and 3 overdose reversals were reported to BSHRC. Trainings were effective in increasing self-efficacy surrounding overdose prevention and response, which appears to persist at up to 12 months following the training.