Naloxone Background

    Is Narcan (naloxone) Nasal Spray approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration?

    image of Narcan packaging and dispenser

    Yes. In November 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan Nasal Spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. Prior to November 2015, naloxone was FDA-approved only as an injection. See the highlights of prescribing information.

    National Drug Control Strategy

    Date: 
    Dec, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Office of National Drug Control Policy
    Resource Type: 
    Policy/Procedure

    The 2014 National Drug Control Strategy, a 21st century approach to drug policy that is built on decades of research demonstrating that addiction is a disease of the brain—one that can be prevented, treated, and from which people can recover. This document lays out an evidence-based plan for real drug policy reform, spanning the spectrum of effective prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, criminal justice, law enforcement, and international cooperation.

    What is the connection between prescription drug abuse and heroin?

    Health care providers wrote 259 million prescriptions for opioid pain medications in 2012 – enough for every American adult to have a bottle of pills. Opioids are a class of prescription pain medications that includes hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and methadone. Heroin belongs to the same class of drugs, and four in five heroin users started out by misusing prescription opioid pain medications.

    Resources: 

    National Drug Control Strategy

    Date: 
    Dec, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Office of National Drug Control Policy
    Resource Type: 
    Policy/Procedure

    The 2014 National Drug Control Strategy, a 21st century approach to drug policy that is built on decades of research demonstrating that addiction is a disease of the brain—one that can be prevented, treated, and from which people can recover. This document lays out an evidence-based plan for real drug policy reform, spanning the spectrum of effective prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, criminal justice, law enforcement, and international cooperation.

    Today’s Heroin Epidemic

    Date: 
    Jul, 2015
    Contributor: 
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Resource Type: 
    Research Report

    Each month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) release and monthly report called CDC Vital Signs. The July 2015 report focuses on today’s heroin epidemic and includes the latest statistics, response and prevention guidance, and what can be done at the federal, state, and provider levels.

    Today’s Heroin Epidemic

    Date: 
    Jul, 2015
    Contributor: 
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Resource Type: 
    Research Report

    Each month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) release and monthly report called CDC Vital Signs. The July 2015 report focuses on today’s heroin epidemic and includes the latest statistics, response and prevention guidance, and what can be done at the federal, state, and provider levels.

    Podcast Interview with Dr. Traci Green

    Date: 
    Oct, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Bureau of Justice Assistance
    Resource Type: 
    Podcast

    In this podcast, BJA Fellow Tara Kunkel discusses the opioid overdose epidemic in the state of Rhode Island with Dr. Traci Green, a researcher at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital. In the interview, Dr. Green shares the steps that law enforcement agencies in Rhode Island have taken to address the epidemic and explains how – when properly trained – law enforcement can administer Naloxone to save lives when they arrive at the scene of an overdose.

    How many law enforcement agencies have implemented naloxone programs?

    As of March 2018, law enforcement agencies in at least 41 states have implemented naloxone programs. For a list of law enforcement agencies who have implemented programs, please visit the North Carolina's Harm Reduction Coalition website.

    How can implementing agencies benefit from an overdose reversal program using naloxone?

    First and foremost, an overdose reversal program offers a potential lifesaving opportunity. Additionally, individual officers have cited improved job satisfaction rooted in an improved ability to “do something” at the scene of an overdose. Law enforcement agencies that have implemented an overdose reversal program report improved community relations, leading to better intelligence-gathering capabilities.

    Resources: 

    New York Department of Criminal Justice Services Officer Interview

    Date: 
    May, 2014
    Contributor: 
    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service
    Resource Type: 
    Video

    New York Police Department (NYPD) Officers speaking of their experience using and administering naloxone to prevent fatal opioid overdoses. Film by Joshua Vinehout, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.

    Ocean County, NJ, Police Get Drug Overdose Antidote

    Date: 
    Feb, 2014
    Contributor: 
    NJTV News
    Resource Type: 
    Video

     

    Ocean County police officers learned how to administer the medication naloxone to temporarily reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose. Video courtesy of NJTV news and the Ocean County, NJ, Prosecutor's Office.

    New York Department of Criminal Justice Services Officer Interview

    Date: 
    May, 2014
    Contributor: 
    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service
    Resource Type: 
    Video

    New York Police Department (NYPD) Officers speaking of their experience using and administering naloxone to prevent fatal opioid overdoses. Film by Joshua Vinehout, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.

    Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Remarks

    Date: 
    Mar, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Department of Justice
    Resource Type: 
    Video

    In one of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's weekly video addresses, he calls the rise in heroin overdoses an urgent public health crisis and vows a mix of enforcement and treatment.

    COPS Office Letter on Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

    Date: 
    Oct, 2014
    Contributor: 
    COPS Office
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    The former Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Ronald L. Davis, voices his support for law enforcement carrying naloxone

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