Traci C. Green|Robert Heimer|Lauretta E. Grau
Distinguishing signs of opioid overdose and indication for naloxone: an evaluation of six overdose training and naloxone distribution programs in the United States
Yale University|Yale University|Yale University
study assessed overdose naloxone administration knowledge among current former opioid abusers trained untrained overdoseresponse united statesten individuals divided equally trained trained overdose recognition response recruited six sites n 62usbased overdose training naloxone distribution programs baltimore san francisco chicago new york new mexicoparticipants completed brief questionnaire overdose knowledge included task rating 16 putative overdose scenarios whether overdose occurring ii naloxone indicated bivariate multivariable analyses compared results trained untrained responses also compared 11 medical experts using weighted unweighted kappa statisticsrespondents primarily male 726 458 experienced overdose 72 ever witnessed overdose trained participants recognized opioid overdose scenarios accurately t60 376 p 0001 instances naloxone indicated t59 22 p 005 untrained participants receipt training higher perceived competency recognizing signs opioid overdose associated independently higher overdose recognition scores trained respondents skilled medical experts recognizing opioid overdose situations weighted kappa 085 naloxone indicated kappa 10results suggest naloxone training programs united states improve participants ability recognize respond opioid overdoses community drug users overdose training confidence abilities respond may effectively prevent overdose mortality