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44 Results (showing 11 - 20)
Results sorted by updated date (oldest first)
Results sorted by updated date (oldest first)
Posted 10/3/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
Nitazenes are a novel group of powerful illicit synthetic opioids derived from 2-benzylbenzimidazole that have been linked to overdose deaths in several states. Nitazenes were created as a potential pain reliever medication nearly 60 years ago but have never been approved for use in the United States. Laboratory test results indicate that the potency of certain nitazene analogs (e.g., isotonitazene, protonitazene, and etonitazene) greatly exceeds that of fentanyl, whereas the potency of the analog metonitazene is similar to fentanyl.
Posted 4/4/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the makers of Narcan, an opioid overdose treatment, have the agency’s approval to make the drug widely available over the counter (OTC). Narcan is the brand name of the drug naloxone, a fast-acting overdose reversal. Until now, availability varied by state – typically restricted to licensed health care providers, approved opioid overdose programs, and first responders. This is an important consideration for rural counties given that research shows that these areas are nearly three times more likely than metropolitan counties to be a low-dispensing county for naloxone.
Posted 11/1/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
Racial/ethnic minorities have experienced disproportionate opioid-related overdose death rates in recent years. In this context, inequities were examined in community-based naloxone access across racial/ethnic groups in Massachusetts.
Posted 7/21/2023 (updated 3/28/2024)
Disparities in access to naloxone exist and organizations are working to remove some of these barriers by utilizing innovative methods such as vending machines to distribute the overdose medication. This provides life-saving medication in an accessible way to everyone, although laws vary state to state on the distribution of these tools. More information on naloxone vending machines can be found in these resources by the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) and The Network for Public Health Law.
Posted 1/19/2024 (updated 3/28/2024)
The FDA announced that the manufacturer of NARCAN 4 mg Nasal Spray products, Emergent BioSolutions, has extended the shelf-life of their product from 3 years to 4 years. This new extension of shelf-life was requested by the FDA to help prevent overdoses and reduce overdose-related deaths.
Posted 7/22/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
New York State's Opioid Overdose Prevention Program Resources
Posted 8/11/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
Sonoran Prevention Works is an advocate for people in Arizona affected by drug use. Spanish language resources from Ssamaritan PAWZ are included.
Posted 8/24/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
Syringe service programs (SSPs), which provide access to sterile syringes and other injection equipment and their safe disposal after use,* represent a highly successful human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention. SSPs are associated with a 58% reduction in the incidence of HIV infection among persons who inject drugs. In addition, SSPs have led efforts to prevent opioid overdose deaths by integrating evidence-based opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs. OEND programs train laypersons to respond during overdose events and provide access to naloxone and directions for drug delivery. SSPs are ideal places for OEND because they provide culturally relevant services designed to reach persons at high risk for experiencing or observing an opioid overdose.
Posted 4/27/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
To mitigate the opioid overdose crisis, states have implemented a variety of legal interventions aimed at increasing access to the opioid antagonist naloxone. Recently, Virginia and Vermont mandated the coprescription of naloxone for potentially at-risk patients.
Posted 11/21/2019 (updated 3/28/2024)
Opioid overdose is reversible through the timely administration of naloxone, which has been used by emergency medical services for decades.