Provision of naloxone to injection drug users as an overdose prevention strategy: early evidence from a pilot study in New York City.

Introduction: Naloxone, an opiate antagonist that can avert opiate overdose morality, has long been prescribed to drug users in Europe and in a few US cities. However, there has been little documented evidence of naloxone distribution programs and their feasibility in the peer reviewed literature in the US.

Methods: A pilot overdose prevention and reversal program was implemented in a New York City syringe exchange program.