New Naloxone and Overdose Resources from the WA Department of Health

The WA State Department of Health (DOH) has some new resources out about naloxone and overdose.

Issue Brief: The Risks of High-Dose Naloxone Products and Nalmefene for Community Opioid Overdose Response

In this issue brief, DOH provides a summary of the current data and their recommendations on opioid overdose reversal medication types and dosages.

Key points:

• WA State Department of Health supports standard-dose naloxone products to reverse opioid overdose in community settings.
• Standard-dose naloxone is appropriate for all opioid overdoses, including fentanyl.
• High-dose naloxone products or nalmefene (a long-acting, high-potency opioid antagonist) don’t offer more benefits than standard-dose products, and may increase the likelihood of precipitated withdrawal in people who are opioid dependent.

Learn more in the Issue Brief and this presentation on “Naloxone Dosage and Compassionate Opioid Overdose Reversal” (video).

Preventing and Responding to Overdose: Guidance for Housing & Shelter Programs

This guide provides recommendations for preventing and responding to overdose for housing and shelter program leadership, staff, and residents, including advice on staff training on overdose response and bias and stigma, creating partnerships with programs in your area to support residents who use drugs and facilitate warm handoffs, and creating opportunities for residents to build community with each other and with staff.

Includes a one-page “Agency Overdose Response Worksheet” that can help you develop and implement a plan for overdose in your program.