Overdose Prevention Program
Overview
Since 2016, the Department’s Overdose Prevention Program has aimed to reduce opioid overdose deaths by increasing community access to free naloxone for individuals most likely to experience or witness an overdose through a network of over 600 enrolled distributors.
Naloxone is an emergency opioid antagonist medication that reverses an opioid overdose. Opioids include prescription pain medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone, as well as heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogs. Opioid overdose deaths can be prevented if naloxone is administered in time, however, many are not able to access naloxone due to barriers such as cost and stigma. Secondary distribution, meaning distributing more than two kits to each person so additional kits can be given to friends and family, is highly encouraged. Targeted distribution to individuals who use drugs is important as they are most likely to witness an overdose in the community and are commonly the first that are able to respond during an overdose.
Program Purpose
The purpose is to provide Overdose Recognition and Response Training and distribute free naloxone kits to individuals in the community at risk of experiencing or witnessing an opioid overdose.
The program provides access to FDA approved emergency opioid antagonists (naloxone), as defined in section 381.887(1)(d), Florida Statutes, to organizations that serve individuals at risk of witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose. Organizations enrolled to distribute naloxone include substance use and mental health treatment providers, shelters, housing coalitions, hospital emergency departments, maternity units, federally qualified health centers, sober living homes, services, veteran service organizations, recovery community organizations, peer networks, and colleges or universities. The Overdose Prevention Program is now distributing to all 67 County Health Departments.
As of August 2024, a life has been saved over 53,000 times by Department distributed naloxone. Additionally, over 1,240,000 free naloxone kits have been distributed, and almost 74,300 individuals have been trained in overdose recognition and response.
The Department implemented the ISAVEFL campaign to increase awareness of how to use naloxone and where to access across Florida.
Resources for Overdose Recognition and Response Training:
- For live virtual trainings:
- Organizations can request a live virtual training conducted by the Overdose Prevention Program team by sending an email to @email with the appropriate contact’s name and information.
- For live in-person trainings:
- Organizations can request live in-person trainings conducted by a currently enrolled distributor by sending an email to @email.
- Include the requested time, date, and location of the training with the appropriate contact’s name and information. An Overdose Prevention Program team member will reach out to an enrolled distributor in your area and make the connection.
- Organizations can request live in-person trainings conducted by a currently enrolled distributor by sending an email to @email.
- For self-paced online trainings, please use the link below. This training will issue a certificate of completion.
Other Resources:
Contact Information
To obtain further information regarding the program, email @email.