This toolkit from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides information for communities to use to prevent opioid overdose deaths.
This toolkit was developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide information for communities to use in their efforts to prevent opioid overdose deaths. The toolkit provides an overview of the scope of the problem, noting that overdose deaths involving prescription analgesics almost doubled between 2001 and 2010, coinciding with the nearly fourfold increase in the use of prescribed opioids for the treatment of pain. Information is provided on how overdoses occur, who is at risk for overdose, and a list of strategies to prevent overdose deaths. These strategies are 1) encourage providers, persons at high risk, family members and others to learn how to prevent and manage opioid overdose; 2) ensure access to treatment for individuals who are misusing or addicted to opioids or who have other substance use disorders; 3) ensure ready access to naloxone; 4) encourage the public to call 911; and 5) encourage prescribers to use State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), which have emerged as a key tool for addressing the misuse and abuse of prescriptions opioids. A list of Web sites with useful information for local communities and organizations is included with the toolkit. 10 references