Boulder Fire-Rescue and The Naloxone Project

According to the CDC, 107,375 people in the United States died of a drug overdose or drug poisoning in the 12-month period ending in January 2022.
67% of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
We have joined The Naloxone Project to help save lives in our community!

Boulder Fire-Rescue and our ambulance transport contractor American Medical Response (AMR), have launched a new harm reduction program in partnership with The Naloxone Project. The initiative provides free naloxone kits — commonly known as Narcan — that our staff will leave with patients, family members, or bystanders after an opioid overdose or other high-risk encounter. Boulder Fire-Rescue and AMR have long carried and administered naloxone in the field. Naloxone will not be available for pick up at local fire stations through this program.

According to the CDC, 107,375 people in the United States died of a drug overdose or drug poisoning in the 12-month period ending in January 2022. 67% of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Deaths were attributed to fentanyl mixed with other illicit drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, with many
users unaware they were actually taking fentanyl. Only two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose; it’s particularly dangerous for someone who does not have a tolerance to opioids.

The worsening of the opioid crisis comes at a time when severe cuts to government-funded programs have further limited access to care for patients with OUD. Recent legislative sessions have stripped $26 million from substance use prevention, awareness, and treatment, including $750,000 previously allocated to a public awareness campaign promoting naloxone. Despite these obstacles, there are glimmers of hope. New changes in the state’s laws pave the way for a dramatic increase in naloxone distribution through hospitals and emergency departments.

Naloxone plays a vital role in decreasing overdose deaths. Furthermore, research shows that patients who receive a prescription for naloxone are more likely to enter a treatment program, report decreased drug use, and demonstrate a greater willingness to undergo screening for HIV and hepatitis. Patients who receive naloxone are also more likely to educate their friends and family members on overdose recognition and response.

The Colorado Naloxone Project was started by Dr. Donald Stader in 2021 as the first state chapter of The Naloxone Project. Colorado now has 97% of EDs enrolled, and launched the MOMs (Maternal Overdose Matters) Initiative in August of 2022 with currently over 90% of labor and delivery units committed. Colorado now has multiple statutes such as HB-22-1326 and HB-20-1065 that support the vision and mission of the Naloxone Project. Together, HB-22-1326 and HB-20-1065 provide a pathway by which hospital-based naloxone dispensing is reimbursed by most major payers and creates an environment in which hospital-based naloxone distribution is sustainable and not dependent on grants. In addition, many of the regulations viewed as hindrances to naloxone dispensing have been removed.

(Information according to resources provided by The Naloxone Project at https://www.naloxoneproject.com/naloxone-how-to-videos)