RT Journal
A1 Beletsky L, Rich JD, Walley AY
T1 PRevention of fatal opioid overdose
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2012
FD November 14
VO 308
IS 18
SP 1863
OP 1864
DO 10.1001/jama.2012.14205
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.14205
AB 
During the time it typically takes some overdoses to turn fatal, it is possible to reverse the respiratory depression and other effects of opioids with the antagonist naloxone. Community-based organizations, health care institutions, and local and state agencies have begun to train and equip potential nonmedical bystanders to recognize and reverse overdose events using first aid techniques and emergency supplies of naloxone.2- 3 As the number of such initiatives has increased, the 53 000 program trainees have tracked more than 10 000 reports of overdose rescues in the United States.2 These efforts have targeted drug users (syringe access programs, drug treatment centers, correctional facilities),1 physicians (to “co-prescribe” naloxone along with opioids),4 and first responders (ie, fire and police).3 The concept has also gained traction among policy makers, including the Office of the National Drug Control Policy and professional organizations.5