The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs held a webinar recently highlighting the significant impact of the Naloxone for First Responders Program since 2017, including more than 24,000 overdose reversals using NFRP-purchased naloxone, and discussed upcoming changes to the program, including the launch of the PA Overdose Prevention Program.

“We’re very happy with the positive impact that the Naloxone for First Responders Program has in communities across the Commonwealth,” said PCCD Executive Director Mike Pennington. “However, our work is far from over. We’re looking forward to building on this progress with the PA Overdose Prevention Program as we expand the resources we’re currently offering, including other harm reduction supplies.”

The webinar had more than 380 attendees, spanning across almost all Pennsylvania counties, and included individuals from community-based organizations, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, recovery community organizations, single county authorities, educational institutions health care facilities, and more. In addition to highlighting the impact of the NFRP and announcing the launch of the PA Overdose Prevention Program, the webinar included valuable information from Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network and Prevention Point Pittsburgh related to the use of drug testing strips and information on the different naloxone formulations.

“We must continue to expand access to and provide equitable resources as we continue to address the overdose crisis in Pennsylvania,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “An overdose can happen anytime, anywhere - preparation is key. This is an opportunity to get naloxone and drug testing tools into more hands and we’re proud to partner with PCCD in this effort. I encourage individuals and organizations to take advantage of this new program.”

In November 2017, PCCD, in partnership with DDAP and the Department of Health, launched the NFRP. The program provided lifesaving intranasal naloxone at no cost for first responder groups through regional and statewide distribution networks.

A wide range of community-based organizations, agencies and other entities were designated as eligible first responder groups because they often arrive at the scene of an overdose before medical personnel, making them critical in administering naloxone promptly and potentially saving lives. Some key successes of the NFRP since 2017 include:

More than 24,000 overdose reversals have been reported using NFRP-purchased naloxone.

More than 654,700 kits, or roughly 1,309,500 doses, of intranasal naloxone were purchased through the program.

More than 50 percent of the total naloxone kits distributed are going directly to community-based groups, including harm reduction organizations.

People seeking substance use disorder treatment or recovery resources for themselves or a loved one can be connected to local resources by visiting treatmentatlas.org or by calling the toll-free PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).