Opioid Overdose Prevention
Drug overdose is a significant problem in New York State. Recent data from New York City indicate that more than 900 fatalities resulted from accidental overdoses during 2003. Close to 70% of these deaths involved the use of opioids/heroin.
A new life-saving law took effect on April 1, 2006, making it legal in New York State for non-medical persons to administer Naloxone to another individual to prevent an opioid/heroin overdose from becoming fatal. Naloxone (Narcan) is a prescription medicine that reverses an overdose by blocking heroin (or other opioids) in the brain for 30 to 90 minutes.
Programs must register with the New York State Department of Health to operate an Opioid Overdose Prevention Program. Eligible providers are licensed health care facilities, health care practitioners, drug treatment programs, not-for-profit community-based organizations and local health departments. These programs train individuals how to respond to suspected overdoses including the administration of Naloxone.
For more information on opioid/heroin overdose prevention, or to register as an Opioid Overdose Prevention Program, please contact the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute at (212) 417-4770.
Overdose Prevention Information
- Fact Sheet - Consumers (PDF, 64KB, 1pg.)
- Fact Sheet - Providers (PDF, 57KB, 1pg.)
- Important Health Advisory: Safety Warnings Regarding Use of Fentanyl Transdermal Patch - January 24, 2008
- Letter and Resource Sheet: Dangers of Fentanyl-Related Overdose
Programs in New York State
- Fact Sheet - Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs
- Guidelines for Policies and Procedures (PDF, 80KB, 6pg.)
- Guidelines for Training Responders (PDF, 94KB, 8pg.)
- Directory of Registered Programs - Updated 09/24/2008
- Registration (PDF, 52KB, 2pg.)
- Section 80.138 Regulations