There are naloxone programs in law enforcement that can serve as best-practice examples of these programs in the U.S.
If you or your department has determined that it may be useful to implement a naloxone protocol, there are a number of things to consider:
However, the process is not as challenging as it may seem. Other programs that have been successful have models and resources you can turn to.
Establish a state-based policy:
All Law Enforcement (LE) officers receive naloxone and training on its use
Deployment Personnel:
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) has established a law enforcement naloxone toolkit as a clearinghouse of resources to support law enforcement agencies in establishing a naloxone program.
You can access the toolkit at the BJA NTTAC website.
Ultimately, a naloxone program can be set up in just a few weeks.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has prepared a downloadable resource for first responders and others to prepare for naloxone distribution.
There are naloxone programs in law enforcement that can serve as best-practice examples of these programs in the U.S.
One such example is the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC), which you can learn more about by visiting its website.
According to the NCHRC, since its Overdose Prevention Project became operational on August 1, 2013, it has dispensed over 69,000 free overdose rescue kits that include naloxone, and has received 11,000 confirmed reports that the medication was administered successfully by lay individuals.
Another example is the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative in Gloucester, MA. Visit the website at www.paariusa.org.
For qualifying group purchasers
All first responders (EMS, Fire Department, and Police) may now purchase NARCAN® Nasal Spray as a qualified group purchase, at a 40% discount off the Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) of $125 per carton.
If you would like to make a group qualified purchase, call 1-844-4NARCAN (1-844-462-7226) or click here.
NARCAN® Nasal Spray is safe and effective in children for known or suspected opioid overdose.
Who should not use NARCAN® Nasal Spray?
Do not use NARCAN® Nasal Spray if you are allergic to naloxone hydrochloride or any of the ingredients in NARCAN® Nasal Spray.
What is the most important information I should know about NARCAN® Nasal Spray?
NARCAN® Nasal Spray is used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid medicines. The medicine in NARCAN® Nasal Spray has no effect in people who are not taking opioid medicines. Always carry NARCAN® Nasal Spray with you in case of an opioid overdose.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using NARCAN® Nasal Spray?
Before using NARCAN® Nasal Spray, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
What are the possible side effects of NARCAN® Nasal Spray?
NARCAN® Nasal Spray may cause serious side effects, including:
Sudden opioid withdrawal symptoms which can be severe. In someone who has been using opioids regularly, opioid withdrawal symptoms can happen suddenly after receiving NARCAN® Nasal Spray and may include:
Some patients may show aggressive behavior upon abrupt reversal of an opioid overdose.
In infants under 4 weeks old who have been receiving opioids regularly, sudden opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not treated the right way. Signs and symptoms include: seizures, crying more than usual, and increased reflexes.
These are not all of the possible side effects of NARCAN® Nasal Spray. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
NNS CON ISI 08/2020
Please see full Prescribing Information.
References: 1. Vital signs—Prescription painkiller overdoses in the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/painkilleroverdoses/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2020. 2. Opioid overdose. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2020. 3. Wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER). Atlanta, GA: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics; 2020. 4. Bratberg JP. Opioids, naloxone, and beyond: The intersection of medication safety, public health, and pharmacy. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2017;57:S5-S7. 5. NARCAN® Nasal Spray [prescribing information]. Plymouth Meeting, PA: ADAPT Pharma, Inc.; 2020. 6. Mell HK, Mumma SN, Hiestand B. Emergency medical services response times in rural, suburban, and urban areas. JAMA Surg. 2017;152(10):983-984. 7. Coffin PO, Behar E, Rowe C, et al. Nonrandomized intervention study of naloxone coprescription for primary care patients receiving long-term opioid therapy for pain. Ann Intern Med. 2016;165(4):245-252. 8. San Francisco Department of Public Health. Naloxone for opioid safety: a provider’s guide to prescribing naloxone to patients who use opioids. January 2015. https://prescribetoprevent.org/wp2015/wp-content/uploads/CA.Detailing_Provider_final.pdf. Accessed April 13, 2020. 9. Management of substance abuse: information sheet on opioid overdose. World Health Organization website. http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/information-sheet/en. Updated August 2018. Accessed April 13, 2020. 10. Calculating total daily dose of opioids for safer dosage. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/calculating_total_daily_dose-a.pdf. Accessed April 13, 2020.
NARCAN® Nasal Spray is safe and effective in children for known or suspected opioid overdose.
Who should not use NARCAN® Nasal Spray?
Do not use NARCAN® Nasal Spray if you are allergic to naloxone hydrochloride or any of the ingredients in NARCAN® Nasal Spray.
What is the most important information I should know about NARCAN® Nasal Spray?
NARCAN® Nasal Spray is used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid medicines. The medicine in NARCAN® Nasal Spray has no effect in people who are not taking opioid medicines. Always carry NARCAN® Nasal Spray with you in case of an opioid overdose.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using NARCAN® Nasal Spray?
Before using NARCAN® Nasal Spray, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
What are the possible side effects of NARCAN® Nasal Spray?
NARCAN® Nasal Spray may cause serious side effects, including:
Sudden opioid withdrawal symptoms which can be severe. In someone who has been using opioids regularly, opioid withdrawal symptoms can happen suddenly after receiving NARCAN® Nasal Spray and may include:
Some patients may show aggressive behavior upon abrupt reversal of an opioid overdose.
In infants under 4 weeks old who have been receiving opioids regularly, sudden opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not treated the right way. Signs and symptoms include: seizures, crying more than usual, and increased reflexes.
These are not all of the possible side effects of NARCAN® Nasal Spray. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
NNS CON ISI 08/2020
Please see full Prescribing Information.
References: 1. Vital signs—Prescription painkiller overdoses in the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/painkilleroverdoses/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2020. 2. Opioid overdose. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2020. 3. Wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER). Atlanta, GA: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics; 2020. 4. Bratberg JP. Opioids, naloxone, and beyond: The intersection of medication safety, public health, and pharmacy. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2017;57:S5-S7. 5. NARCAN® Nasal Spray [prescribing information]. Plymouth Meeting, PA: ADAPT Pharma, Inc.; 2020. 6. Mell HK, Mumma SN, Hiestand B. Emergency medical services response times in rural, suburban, and urban areas. JAMA Surg. 2017;152(10):983-984. 7. Coffin PO, Behar E, Rowe C, et al. Nonrandomized intervention study of naloxone coprescription for primary care patients receiving long-term opioid therapy for pain. Ann Intern Med. 2016;165(4):245-252. 8. San Francisco Department of Public Health. Naloxone for opioid safety: a provider’s guide to prescribing naloxone to patients who use opioids. January 2015. https://prescribetoprevent.org/wp2015/wp-content/uploads/CA.Detailing_Provider_final.pdf. Accessed April 13, 2020. 9. Management of substance abuse: information sheet on opioid overdose. World Health Organization website. http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/information-sheet/en. Updated August 2018. Accessed April 13, 2020. 10. Calculating total daily dose of opioids for safer dosage. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/calculating_total_daily_dose-a.pdf. Accessed April 13, 2020.