Naloxone

OEND programs typically use existing staff members within their specific setting to distribute naloxone and provide opioid overdose education, for example, nurses in an emergency department.

Evidence for the intervention

Evidence supporting opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs is summarized in at least eight systematic reviews. These draw mostly from observational study designs, including case series, cohort studies, and quality improvement studies. There are very few randomized controlled trials evaluating OEND programs, largely due to the overwhelming body of real-world evidence supporting naloxone distribution; this is common for interventions with substantial face-value credibility, such as parachutes or epinephrine pens. The few existing randomized controlled trials of OEND programs tend to compare one OEND implementation strategy to another OEND implementation strategy

Evidence-based Scale

The people who deliver services in OEND programs have varied widely, including volunteers, administrative staff, counselors, teachers, and parents. OEND programs are most successful when the identified deliverers can incorporate opioid overdose education and naloxone dispensing into their typical workflow or routine. Vending machines can also be set up in public locations to dispense free naloxone.