Naloxone Distribution Project

SUD Treatment Programs combat opioid overdose deaths

Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS) responded to a nearly 100 percent increase in opioid-related deaths by applying to the Naloxone Distribution Project, which is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to combat opioid overdoserelated deaths throughout the state. In December

2021, ICBHS’s Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Programs received notice by DHCS it had been accepted into the project.

Since the start of the project in January, one opioid overdose has been reversed through the use of Naloxone. “The fact that at least one life has been saved so far is a huge success,” said Gabriela Jimenez, deputy director of Imperial County Behavioral Health Services and who oversees the Adult and Older Adult Services and SUD Treatment Programs.

“Somebody is alive today because we made the decision to implement harm reduction strategies within our programs to prevent overdose deaths,” Jimenez said. “Our goal is to save as many lives as possible through this project while also providing intensive treatment to those suffering from substance use problems.”

Naloxone, known by the brand name Narcan, is a lifesaving prescription medication used to reverse the effects of an overdose of opioids. The request to participate in the project came as Imperial County saw a 99 percent increase in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020, the most recent calendar year of data available. To qualify as a participant, Jimenez’s department put together an implementation plan outlining how Naloxone will be used, how it will be distributed, who will dispense it and who will be trained. The medication is no substitute for emergency medical care, and 911 should be called immediately.

“The project’s goal is to save lives,” Jimenez said. “We understand how the opioid epidemic has negatively impacted many communities and we want to be part of the solution. Recovery can be very difficult and the services provided by ICBHS are geared to address each person’s individual needs,” she said. “Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease that requires treatment. Our goal is to ensure that treatment, education and support is available to individuals and families in need.”

Opioids include heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine that are prescribed legally by medical personnel, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

On its website, the Department of HHS states: “When used correctly under a health care provider’s direction, prescription pain medicines are helpful. However, misusing prescription opioids risks dependence and addiction.”

ICBHS provided training to 131 employees who provide services to individuals with substance use disorders on the use of Naloxone. These include transportation staff, direct treatment providers, clerical staff, administrators and Triage unit staff. The training included recognizing the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, proper dispensing of Naloxone, and emergency response procedures. “When Naloxone is distributed to clients, family members and/or their significant supports they are provided with education on how to properly use it in case they encounter a situation in which the client or someone else is experiencing an overdose,” Jimenez said.

“There is much stigma attached to opioid use”, she said. “We can all contribute to a person’s recovery by having the understanding that drug and alcohol addiction is a disease and how it affects those suffering from addiction and their families. As a department, we are taking the necessary steps to reduce harm, reduce pain, and help as many people preserve their lives and reach recovery.” Jimenez said.

“Somebody is alive today because we made the decision to implement harm reduction strategies within our programs to prevent overdose deaths,”