Layperson Naloxone Education

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the opioid overdose crisis is now a nationwide epidemic, with over 60% of overdoses being unintentional. Although many overdoses are from illegal opiates such as heroin, chronic pain patients taking prescription painkillers experience the highest percentage. In 2014, Utah was ranked fourth in the nation for opioid overdose death rates, with Carbon and Emery Counties together ranking number one in the state. Layperson naloxone education is necessary to address the rising opioid overdose death rates. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the respiratory depression of opioid overdose. The goal is to save lives by putting naloxone in the hands of high-risk individuals as well as anyone who may come upon a person experiencing an opioid overdose. Coffin and Sullivan (2013) found naloxone kits to be a cost-effective tool with demonstrated reversals. The CDC has found that states that have the most layperson naloxone programs in place have lower opioid overdose death rates. Lewis et al. (2016) stated that education on naloxone and opioid overdose in a classroom setting improved the attendees' attitudes and long-term knowledge. Due to the safety of naloxone and very rare side effects, there has been a call to increase access and make legislative changes necessary to support its use. The objectives of the project were to: (a) Engage stakeholders to schedule naloxone kit educational meetings; (b) develop evidence-based naloxone education and handouts for class attendees; (c) deliver layperson naloxone classes as scheduled; (d) make naloxone kits readily available to more individuals who would otherwise not have access; and (e) disseminate the project findings through presentations to stakeholders and to a professional meetings. This project aimed to provide access to, and education about, naloxone for laypeople that may come upon an individual experiencing an opioid overdose. Naloxone education classes were scheduled for free in both counties. At the end of the class, each participant received a free kit of intranasal naloxone to have on hand. Participants voluntarily completed pre- and posttest questionnaires designed to evaluate knowledge, self-efficacy, and intent with regard to naloxone. The results found a significant increase in self-efficacy of naloxone use and identification of an opioid overdose. The intent to use the education was clearly identified by 84% of participants taking a free naloxone kit. Of the participants who had reportedly witnessed an overdose, 100% took a naloxone kit. Provision of naloxone to laypeople is a key element to combating the opioid overdose epidemic we are experiencing in Utah and across the country. Community education regarding naloxone and access to life saving treatment can provide an effective health initiative to combat the opioid overdose epidemic.