INDIANAPOLIS – The Marion County Public Health Department and Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) recently announced the launch of the Naloxone Leave Behind (NLB) project aimed at reducing opioid overdose fatalities in Marion County by distributing naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, to those at risk of an overdose.
According to a recent report by the Marion County Public Health Department and the Marion County Coroner’s Office for the first quarter of 2024 (January-March), 62% of suspected overdose deaths occurred at a person’s private residence. Plus, studies have shown that individuals who survive an overdose are at a much higher risk of experiencing a fatal overdose in the future.
The Naloxone Leave Behind project will expand naloxone access and connect people who use drugs and their support networks to community resources. As part of the project, IEMS ambulances and response vehicles will have naloxone kits on board, in addition to the supply that is currently available for their responses. After a suspected overdose patient has been stabilized, IEMS responders will offer naloxone kits to individuals at the scene including patients, friends, family members, or any bystanders.
Each naloxone kit will include two doses of intranasal naloxone, a resource card with a QR code to the NLB webpage and phone support by dialing 2-1-1, information on Overdose Lifeline’s CHARIOT Program and how to get text alerts for urgent changes in the local drug supply, and educational materials on recognizing an overdose and administering naloxone