Rapid widespread distribution of intranasal naloxone for overdose prevention

- A government-supported take-home naloxone program was implemented in Norway.
- Distribution rates met suggested coverage rates for large-scale naloxone programs.
- Participants exhibited known risk factors for overdosing.
- The intervention produced widespread distribution of naloxone to at-risk groups.

BackgroundTake home naloxone programs have been successful internationally in training bystanders to reverse an opioid overdose with naloxone, an opioid antagonist. A multi-site naloxone distribution program began in Norway in 2014 as part of a national overdose prevention strategy. The aim of this study was to a) describe the program, and b) present findings from the government-supported intervention.MethodsFrom July 2014 to December 2015, staff from multiple low-threshold facilities trained clients on how to use intranasal naloxone. Distribution occurred without an individual prescription or physician present. Questionnaires from initial and refill trainings were obtained, and distribution rates were monitored.ResultsThere were 2056 naloxone sprays distributed from one of the 20 participating facilities, with 277 reports of successful reversals. Participants exhibited known risks for overdosing, with injecting (p = 0.02, OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.14, 5.00) and concomitant benzodiazepine use (p = 0.01, OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.31, 5.23) being significant predictors for having had high rates of previous overdoses. Suggested target coverage for large-scale programs was met, with an annual naloxone distribution rate of 144 per 100,000 population, as well as 12 times the cities mean annual number of opioid-related deaths.ConclusionA government-supported multisite naloxone initiative appears to achieve rapid, high volume distribution of naloxone to an at-risk population.