Opiate overdose prevention in California - Naloxone legislation, availability

[pinto]

CA has legalized distribution of naloxone to individuals under a local "blanket" prescription.

It allows agencies, pharmacies, syringe exchange programs (SEP), etc. to provide naloxone kits on request. Consists of a two dose vial, two sterile syringes, instructions. (Some choose to offer the two dose nasal spray formulation.)

Just about every SEP in the state is offering or planning to offer them to exchange participants. Agencies are also offering them to parents / friends of opiate users to have on hand if needed.

Statewide organizations are also conducting "Train the Trainer" workshops. They're geared to reinforce grass roots distributors' abilities to inform naloxone recipients on safe, effective, on site administration of naloxone.

Coupled with the Good Samaritan legislation it represents a real world, real time response to decrease opiate overdose deaths.

[Control-Z]

1. Not sure what Naloxone is.

Is it like methadone?

[pinto]

2. No it's an opiate blocker, antagonist. It counters central nervous and respiratory system shut down

It's not an opiate "replacement". It's intended for short term, one time, immediate intervention to prevent OD mortality.

Effective, quick and fairly simple to administer. Not 100% effective, especially when someone is overdosing under the effect of multiple drugs. But its use has an excellent track record.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naloxone

http://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/understanding-naloxone/

[Control-Z]

3. Wow!

I had no idea. Sounds like it can be a life saver.

[pinto]

4. Yeah it is. And the expanded access is great to see.

Not the end all be all in situations, but a strong harm reduction approach.

[RainDog]

5. k&r n/t