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ASAM Revises Use of Naloxone Public Policy Statement
ASAM updated its "Public Policy Statement on the Use of Naloxone for the Prevention of Drug Overdose Deaths." The revision recommends the employment of “co-prescription” programs and that all addiction treatment agencies have on-site supplies of naloxone for “rescue” dosing.
"Co-prescription" programs allow prescribers to simultaneously authorize naloxone for home use in the event of an accidental overdose with high-potency long-acting opioids for appropriate medical conditions. The statement also recommends that all jurisdictions adopt laws that would offer naloxone providers and users immunity from prosecution and/or civil liability.
According to a 2013 annual health trends report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), death rates from poisoning involving opioid analgesics has more than tripled between 2000 and 2010. Furthermore, the CDC estimates that in 2010, 78% of the 38,329 overdose deaths from all drug overdoses were unintentional (that is, not a result of a planned suicide attempt) and those associated with opioid overdose could have been prevented by the timely administration of an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone.
ASAM’s statement was revised in response to increased public awareness concerning the use of naloxone to prevent overdose. In 2014, a new delivery device for naloxone was approved for use by lay persons with virtually no training. In addition, increased awareness of the opioid overdose epidemic in 2014 led to public pronouncements by the U.S. Attorney General and the National Governors Association, recommending a range of public health and medical interventions, including more widespread availability and use of naloxone to "rescue" accidental overdose victims. Victims may include illicit opioid users or those who misuse prescription opioids, patients offered high-dose opioid therapy for medical purposes, and children who inadvertently ingest opioid products.
It also responds to the fact that witnesses to the early stages of drug overdose are reluctant to call 911 or transport the victim to an emergency room for fear of criminal prosecution for illegal possession and use of controlled substances. The revised policy outlines how the immediate availability and use of naloxone can prevent needless overdose deaths.
Read ASAM's press release about the updated policy statement.
