Suffolk County’s Comprehensive Opioid Overdose Prevention and Education Program

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

In Suffolk County, deaths involving opiates have risen since 2004. The wide availability of pharmaceutical opioids and subsequent efforts to reduce diversion and abuse has also led to a resurgence of heroin use. In response to the increase of opioid abuse, a comprehensive approach to address the epidemic has been implemented. This approach focuses on education and prevention and involves several County Departments. The Opioid Overdose Prevention and Education Program targets many of those on the front line with the goal of increasing awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse, implementing prevention strategies and increasing awareness of treatment programs. This program has expanded training for Narcan reversals provided by Basic EMTs, Police and Probation Officers and the general public. Almost 600 residents received a reversal for an opioid overdose in 2013. Follow-up is conducted by a partnering organization, ensuring that those who receive a reversal know that help is available. The education efforts associated with this program have the potential to save even more lives through the provision of tools to assist prescribers in appropriately prescribing opioids and how to address potential abuse. Finally, a program has been developed to allow for safe discard of prescriptions, decreasing chances of abuse.