Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP) is a public health advocacy organization that operates Allegheny County's only needle exchange program. In 2002, PPP implemented an Overdose Prevention Program (OPP) in response to an increase in heroin-related and opioid-related overdose fatalities in the region. In 2005, the OPP augmented overdose prevention and response trainings to include naloxone training and prescription. The objective of our study is to describe the experiences of 426 individuals who participated in the OPP between July 1, 2005, and December 31, 2008. Of these, 89 individuals reported administering naloxone in response to an overdose in a total of 249 separate overdose episodes. Of these 249 overdose episodes in which naloxone was administered, participants reported 96% were reversed. The data support findings from a growing body of research on similar programs in other cities. Community-based OPPs that equip drug users with skills to identify and respond to an overdose and prescribe naloxone can help users and their peers prevent and reverse potentially fatal overdoses without significant adverse consequences.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232410PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11524-011-9600-7DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

overdose prevention
12
prevention response
8
overdose episodes
8
overdose
7
naloxone
5
characteristics overdose
4
prevention
4
response
4
response naloxone
4
naloxone distribution
4

Similar Publications

Background/objectives: Acute drug intoxications (ADIs) are a significant concern in pediatric healthcare, contributing to both accidental and intentional morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric ADI cases to identify trends and inform preventive strategies.

Methods: This retrospective study included 120 cases of pediatric ADI admitted to the Second Pediatric Clinic of Craiova County Emergency Clinical Hospital in 2022 and 2023.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

SW033291 promotes liver regeneration after acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun

January 2025

College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China. Electronic address:

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a commonly utilized antipyretic and analgesic drug. Overdose of APAP is a primary contributor to drug-induced liver injury and acute liver failure (ALF). SW033291 has been shown to play a role in tissue regeneration in various diseases; however, its potential to facilitate liver regeneration following APAP-induced hepatic injury remains unexamined.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Despite available and effective prevention and treatment strategies for substance use disorders (SUD), drug overdose deaths in the US remain high. Further, limited public knowledge of SUD pharmacotherapies may contribute to increased stigmatization toward SUD medications and a lack of willingness to help people with SUD. This study evaluated knowledge and attitudes about SUD pharmacotherapies and willingness to help people with SUD among a sample of U.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Developing a comprehensive inventory to define harm reduction housing.

Harm Reduct J

January 2025

Opioid Policy Research Collaborative, Heller School for Social Policy & Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA.

Background: The City of Boston has faced unprecedented challenges with substance use amidst changes to the illicit drug supply and increased visibility of homelessness. Among its responses, Boston developed six low threshold harm reduction housing (HRH) sites geared towards supporting the housing needs of people who use drugs (PWUD) and addressing health and safety concerns around geographically concentrated tent encampments. HRH sites are transitional supportive housing that adhere to a "housing first" approach where abstinence is not required and harm reduction services and supports are co-located.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The opioid crisis, driven by synthetic opioids like fentanyl, demands innovative solutions. The opioid antidote naloxone has a short action ( ~ 1 hour), requiring repeated doses. To address this, we present a new and simple naloxone prodrug delivery system repurposing a hydrophilic derivative of acoramidis, a potent transthyretin ligand.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!