Reducing Fatal Opioid Overdose: Prevention, Treatment and Harm Reduction Strategies

Yale J Biol Med. 2015 Sep 3;88(3):235-45. eCollection 2015 Sep.

Abstract

The opioid overdose epidemic is a major threat to the public's health, resulting in the development and implementation of a variety of strategies to reduce fatal overdose. Many strategies are focused on primary prevention and increased access to effective treatment, although the past decade has seen an exponential increase in harm reduction initiatives. To maximize identification of opportunities for intervention, initiatives focusing on prevention, access to effective treatment, and harm reduction are examined independently, although considerable overlap exists. Particular attention is given to harm reduction approaches, as increased public and political will have facilitated widespread implementation of several initiatives, including increased distribution of naloxone and policy changes designed to increase bystander assistance during a witnessed overdose.

Keywords: harm reduction; naloxone; opioid overdose; overdose; prescription drug abuse.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Overdose / mortality*
  • Drug Overdose / prevention & control*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Harm Reduction*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Naloxone / therapeutic use*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / mortality*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Naloxone