Drug overdoses have surpassed other mechanisms of injury to become the leading cause of unintentional injury death for all ages in the United States. Since 1999, the United States has lost over a million individuals to drug overdoses, with opioids responsible for 72% of these deaths. Despite advancements in opioid overdose treatments, the stigma associated with opioid use and overdose continues to serve as a significant barrier to individuals receiving care. Furthermore, this stigma has prevented the widespread implementation of evidence-based strategies and further exacerbated the national opioid epidemic.
Harm reduction is crucial in dismantling the stigma surrounding drug use by encouraging safer practices for those who use substances. In the case of opioids, naloxone — which is now available over-the-counter — can be a life-saving tool as it is capable of rapidly reversing an opioid overdose. However, despite its ability, many people don’t know what it is or how to use it.
The Stepping Strong Center addresses opioid overdose through the following three initiatives.
The Stepping Strong Center’s Naloxone Administration Training, an initiative of the Stepping Strong Emergency Responder Training program, empowers individuals to recognize and respond to an overdose using this FDA-approved medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose when given in time. With the basic knowledge of how to properly administer naloxone, anyone can respond and increase the chance of survival and recovery for people who have suffered an opioid overdose.
Trainees are equipped with naloxone nasal spray and opioid overdose prevention resources.
Training Length: 1 Hour
Format: In-person or virtual
Participant Limits: 50 per session
Email Us to Schedule a Training
The Stepping Strong Center received a ‘Quin Impact Fund grant to train staff from hospitality venues across the city of Boston in Stop the Bleed and Naloxone administration. This industry was selected since hospitality staff are at a higher risk for traumatic injury and overdose, and these venues are common ground where many people interact and emergencies can arise.
After receiving media attention from STAT News, the Stepping Strong Center joined the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Opioid Overdose, which is a national effort to increase training on, and access to, life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone.
Pictured: Veronica Topp, MPH, the Stepping Strong Center’s Program Manager, at the Boston City Council hearing on the Safe & Healthy Hotels Ordinance.
While naloxone training programs have been piloted in clinical settings, a recent surge of interest in community-based initiatives aims to increase the accessibility and distribution of educational programs. Schools, especially high schools, emerge as prime platforms for such initiatives.
Through the Naloxone Education Initiative, the Stepping Strong Center has delivered naloxone education to students at Massachusetts high schools. Through this curriculum, students learn about opioids, an overview of the opioid crisis, information on how to recognize signs of an opioid overdose, instructions on how to respond to an overdose and how to administer naloxone, and details on where to find naloxone in the specific community.
Training Length: 15-20 Minutes
Format: In-person or virtual
Email Scott Weiner or Suhanee Mitragotri for More Information
Read: Student seeks Westfield Board of Health approval to allow program on administering naloxone