Learn2Cope

Rob was always busy helping other people. He touched the lives of so many people throughout his own life, with his great big beautiful smile and the respect and polite manner he showed to everyone. From all of us at LTC our hearts and prayers go out to his beautiful family who loved him so very much and to all his friends and especially to Lilly who called him Kunkel…………………………………………

Opioid Overdose Prevention & Reversal

Information Sheet

The Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Project

In Massachusetts, between 1996 and 2006, there was a sharp rise in the annual number of deaths due to

opioid overdose, increasing from 178 to 637. In fact, opioid overdose has become the leading cause of injury

deaths in Massachusetts, surpassing motor vehicle injury deaths. Some examples of opioids include Heroin,

Oxycodone, Methadone, Fentanyl, Codeine, & Morphine. In order to save lives, the Department of Public

Health launched a pilot project to distribute a medication called nasal naloxone that can reverse an overdose.

Nasal Naloxone (Narcan©) Administration and Effects

In an overdose, opioids can slow breathing to the point of death. Nasal naloxone blocks the opioids and restores

normal breathing when sprayed into the nose of someone who has overdosed. It is safe, easy to administer,

and has no potential for abuse. Reference: K Sporer and A Kral, Prescription Naloxone: A Novel Approach to

Heroin Overdose Prevention, Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2007, Volume 49, Issue 2, Pages 172-177.

Program Overview

Programs participating in the pilot project offer counseling and referrals to substance abuse treatment for all

participants who are misusing opioids. These programs train opioid users, their families and their friends on

how to prevent and recognize an opioid overdose, and what to do if one occurs. The training covers the importance

of calling 9-1-1, how to perform rescue breathing, how to administer nasal naloxone, and how to

provide after-naloxone care.

This pilot project is possible under Massachusetts General Law - MGL c. 94C and DPH Drug Control Program regulations at 105 CMR 700.000.

Where to Get Naloxone in Massachusetts