TP21 - Logistics and Lessons Learned from an Agency-wide Naloxone Training and Distribution Initiative in a Nonprofit Community Behavioral Health Organization
Addiction Psychiatrist Pacific Clinics Los Angeles, California
The prevalence of opioid use overdoses and deaths continue to rise despite increased access to the life-saving medication, Naloxone. Pacific Clinics began an agency-wide naloxone training and distribution initiative in July 2022 culminating to over 4000 naloxone nasal spray applicators distributed to clients, their social network and staff to 18 counties in various settings in California and at least two opioid overdose reversals. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss useful and replicable processes to guide other agencies who wish to distribute naloxone and to share the challenges and lessons learned along the way.
Learning Objectives:
To discuss the processes involved in the training and distribution of naloxone, beginning with changing organizational policy in addressing the opioid epidemic to the tracking of naloxone nasal sprays distributed.
To share the lessons learned to overcome substance use stigma and fear of legal exposure and incompetence in administering naloxone to a new prevailing vision of opioid overdose intervention.
To explore strategies to enhance and maintain staff and client interest and engagement in addressing opioid use disorder and overdose prevention and reversal.
