Knowledge on Overdose Prevention Project) at hrc@harmreduction.org or in California, the DOPE Project at dope@harmreduction.org. 3) Develop protocols for responding to onsite overdose, designating staff roles and responsibilities (see Appendix E for sample protocols). Overdose is always a possibility when working with IDUs. If an overdose occurs on-site at an SAP, being prepared to respond quickly is vital in order to decrease the likelihood that the overdose will be fatal. Also, overdose – regardless of preparedness and positive outcomes – can be a traumatic experience for staff and participants alike. Without proper training, the event can be chaotic and valuable time may be wasted. When a person has overdosed, every moment counts; planning ahead can save time and hopefully, a life. Once a protocol is developed, all staff must be trained on implementation; it is a good idea for staff to practice OD response. Staff and volunteers can role-play overdose scenarios as they would in the event it should happen in real life. Practice can be very helpful for minimizing anxiety, finding gaps in the protocol, and generally preparing staff in case of a true emergency. Participant Education on Overdose An SAP presents an ideal opportunity to engage with the people about overdose prevention. While it is important for the SAP to have a response protocol in place, most overdoses are going to occur outside of the program. Arming participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to properly respond to an overdose is an important responsibility of SAPs and can save lives. There are many myths among drug using communities about the proper way to respond to an OD, and unfortunately some of these techniques can actually increase risk to the person in need. However, these myths represent a desire to respond to OD. Teaching proper overdose response, coupled with programs that train on naloxone use and provide prescription and distribution of this life-saving drug, can go a long way. Some considerations when developing an OD education program for participants: • Keep training sessions brief and to the point. • Make training and education available at different times. • Consider a brief overview of OD prevention and response upon participant enrollment. • Develop a program for training on the use of naloxone, as well as prescription and distribution to participants. Resources on such programs are available at harmreduction.org. • Use educational posters and brochures to make information available at any time, and make it a regular issue for discussion at the SAP. • Develop opportunities for participants and/or staff to process and mourn the loss of those close to them in the event that a fatal overdose occurs in the community.
DAT A C O L L E CT IO N , MO N IT O RIN G AND EV AL UATION Ongoing data collection, monitoring and evaluation serve many important purposes for the SAP: • To measure program effectiveness. • To report back to regulators and funders about program successes and challenges. • To mitigate community concerns and/or objections to the SAP. • To identify program strengths and weaknesses. • To improve program services and participant satisfaction. • To apply for additional/ongoing funding. • To inform future goals and outcome measures for the SAP. • To identify existing gaps in service provision. -45-
