Narcan® (naloxone) rescue kits have become easier to obtain over the last few years in Alaska under Project Hope, a collaboration between the State Department of Health and Human Services and dozens of Opioid Response Programs (ORP) around the state. The community programs provide rescue kits and training in how to use them to people who are at risk of an opioid overdose, others who are concerned for them, and first responders.
Researchers at ISER’s Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services (CBHRS) have been tracking data on distribution and use of the Narcan® rescue kits. Rebecca Porter, Kathryn Davis and Bridget Hanson are the authors of two infographics that reflect data collected from 2017 through 2019.
Overall the report on Narcan® use in Alaska showed that 299 lives have been saved by using a rescue kit. The data is based on voluntary completion of surveys, so doesn’t give the entire picture. “These figures of lives saved are underreported because not everyone who uses a Narcan® kit tells us about it,” said researcher Rebecca Porter.
Before Project HOPE was implemented, rescue kits were not widely available to members of the general public, if at all. Data from the response survey show that 96.1% of victims survived after being given Narcan®. “This is a critical harm reduction strategy that has been working in Alaska to prevent overdose deaths,” said Bridget Hanson.
Highlights from the survey data include findings that can help the State of Alaska and opioid response programs refine distribution and messaging related to the use of Narcan®. For example:
Rescue kits currently include two doses. Data indicate this should continue, as two or more doses of Narcan® were used in most (60.2%) reported overdose situations.
When administering Narcan®, caregivers are encouraged to place the victim in a recovery position and call 911. Data showed that these steps were only taken about one third of the time, so these important steps should be emphasized during trainings on administration of Narcan®.
Harm reduction in 2020
Although final results from 2020 surveys won’t be available until mid-2021, researchers do know that overdoses nationwide have increased during the pandemic. “This illustrates the need for ongoing distribution,” said Porter. “We want to support harm reduction activities during this time because of the increased risk, and also to reduce the burden on first responders.”
COVID-19 has complicated kit distribution and awareness of the program in Alaska. Rescue kits are typically built at community events, which have not been possible. There are also limitations in hours of operation and access to some of the opioid response programs. However, changes to regulation have improved access to telehealth for people experiencing opioid use disorder, said Porter, and there are still ways for people to access rescue kits, which may be more important than ever.
Learn more about Project Hope, location of opioid response centers and availability of Narcan® rescue kits.
About the authors
Rebecca Porter, MS, is a project manager with CBHRS. She is skilled in designing and implementing all aspects of qualitative research from conceptualizing problems and developing data collection tools to collecting narratives and analyzing results in order to produce conclusions to answer research questions.
Kathryn Davis, BS, is a research professional with CBHRS.
Bridget Hanson, Ph.D, is a research associate professor with CBHRS. Dr. Hanson’s primary research interests include the application of attribution theory to social problems, investigating psychosocial correlates of well-being, and exploring the role of attitudes in professionals’ adoption of evidence-based practices.
This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) #1H79SP022117.
