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Vermont Department of Health - Emergency Medical Services - Opioids

Overdose Prevention: Are we getting Naloxone Rescue Kits to Vermonters who need them? Measured as the number of naloxone kits distributed to community members.

Current Value

1,887

Q4 2020

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

December 2019

Author: Vermont Department of Health

Opioids are a highly addictive class of drugs that include pain relievers such as oxycodone, codeine, fentanyl and morphine, and street drugs such as heroin, as well as medications such as methadone used to treat opioid addiction. In an overdose, opioids can slow breathing to the point of death. Naloxone, which can be administered in several ways and is safe and effective when sprayed into the nose of someone who has overdosed, works by blocking the effects of opioids and restoring normal breathing. In Vermont, fatal heroin and fentanyl overdoses been rising in recent years. To potentially reduce the number of fatalities, the Vermont Department of Health, through community-based partners, is distributing Overdose Rescue Kits with nasal naloxone.

The Vermont Department of Health Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Project has been adding new naloxone distribution sites since late in 2013. As these new sites come on board, and as the word is spread about the accessibility of the naloxone rescue kits, the number of kits distributed has continued to rise.

Since 2014, there has been a steady increase in both the total number of clients and the amount of naloxone distributed. More than twice as many naloxone rescue kits were dispensed in 2016 than in 2015 and while variable, continues to trend upward. Additional information, including a databrief, is available on the naloxone website: http://www.healthvermont.gov/response/alcohol-drug.  Please note that the increase for Q3 2016 is due to increases in demand associated with a change from a multi-piece kit to a single unit kit.

In addition to the distribution sites, effective August 2016, naloxone is available at any pharmacy through a standing order from the Commissioner of Health which allows any pharmacy to sell naloxone to any person who wants to have it, without a prescription. The order allows insurers and Medicaid to cover the cost so people do not have to pay out of pocket. Naloxone dispensed through pharmacies is not included in this measure.

Partners

Since 2014, the Health Department has partnered with a growing number of community-based organizations to distribute naloxone overdose rescue kits. Individuals can get prevention and overdose response training designed and approved by the Health Department at these distribution sites

What Works

In an overdose, opioids can slow breathing to the point of death. Naloxone, when sprayed into the nose of someone who has overdosed, blocks the opioids and restores normal breathing. Naloxone should be administered as quickly as possible after an overdose. Naloxone is safe, easy to administer, and has no potential for abuse.

Providing treatment for opioid use disorders is critical to decreasing opioid overdoses. Vermont treatment options are listed on the website. http://www.healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drug-abuse/pr...

Action Plan

The Health Department is constantly adding new sites for distribution of naloxone overdose rescue kits.  Individuals receive prevention and overdose response training designed and approved by the Health Department.

Notes on Methodology

Note: In July of 2016, the Health Department slowly began to switch to distributing naloxone in new packaging that is easier to use and has a higher concentration and dose of naloxone. Following this change, clients began receiving one dose instead of two.

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