save lives, says researcher
Drug users can be taught to identify and quickly respond to overdoses of heroin
or other opioids as effectively as medical experts, a Yale study suggests. — By Bill Hathaway
T H I S
The study supports efforts of some drug counselors, physicians and public health
experts who have started community-based programs to train addicts and supply
them with the opioid antagonist drug naloxone in order to respond to potentially
fatal drug overdoses.
Naloxone, a medication lacking in abuse potential and routinely used by emergency
medical personnel to treat heroin and other opioid overdoses, can be administered
by a simple muscular injection. The drug temporarily combats effects of an overdose
until medical help can arrive.
Critics of such a harm-reduction strategy, however, have questioned whether drug
users have the ability to recognize an overdose and can properly administer the
drug. This study, recently published in the early online edition of the journal
Addiction, suggests this concern is unwarranted.
“You have to keep people alive long enough to get access to drug treatment
for their addiction,’’ says Traci Craig Green, a doctoral candidate
in the Yale School of Public Health and lead author of the research. “You
can’t treat a dead person.”
Ten individuals who were regular users of heroin or other opioid drugs such as
oxycodone or hydromorphone were enrolled in the study at each of six sites across
the United States. They were divided into two groups, one with members who had
previously received training in overdose response and one with members who had
not. Individuals were interviewed to determine if they could recognize signs
of opioid overdose and when it was appropriate to administer naloxone. Their
responses were then compared to those given by a group of medical experts.
The training, conducted well before the interviews were done, included recognizing
differences between overdoses caused by opioids and those caused by other substances
such as cocaine, for which use of the drug naloxone is not indicated.
“The study shows opioid users with training can spot an opioid overdose,
are less likely to miss true opioid overdoses, and can determine whether naloxone
should be administered and when it should not be administered,’’ Green
says.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Other authors
included Robert Heimer and Lauretta E. Grau from the School of Public Health.
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Ten appointed members of American Academy of Arts & Sciences
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Ian Shapiro chosen to join American Philosophical Society
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Yale to celebrate 307th graduation
Summertime at Yale
Scientist Joan Steitz wins nation’s largest prize in medicine
University names 18 future leaders as 2008 World FellowsENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS
Mary E. Miller named Sterling Professor of the History of Art
Joseph Roach appointed Sterling Professor of Theater
Dr. Madhav Dhodapkar is the new Bunker Professor of Hematology
Dr. Richard Edelson is the first Lerner Professor of Dermatology
Architecture students helping to design Mideast Peace Park
China’s President Hu Jintao meets with participants in . . .
In Yale-led study, astronomers discover nine young galaxies . . .
Research on male mating behavior suggests brains may be unisex . . .
Paul Anastas honored as the founder of ‘green chemistry’
Town-gown partners honored with Elm-Ivy AwardsSCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Drug addicts can learn to save lives, says researcher
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Early-stage bone cells may offer possible estrogen replacement
Expert assesses lessons from 12 years of anti-smoking efforts
Computer program helps keep drug abusers abstinent, study shows
Noted gastroenterologist named chief medical officer at YMG
Yale Ob/Gyn researchers discuss their work at New Orleans meeting
Symposium on pain management aimed at medical school students
Exhibits explore artist’s Liverpool years, British watercolors
Two student-curated shows focus on the medium of photography
Library creates digital archive of ‘oldest college daily’
Two seniors will study at the University of Cambridge as Gates Scholars
Campus leaders discuss strategies for increasing staff diversity
Former Bucknell chaplain is named new pastor of University Church
Professor Miroslav Volf will co-teach class with . . .
Tony Blair
Council of Masters honors 10 juniors for their scholarship . . .
Conference focuses on ‘Women and Men in the Globalizing University’
The future of ‘Computers, Freedom and Privacy’ to be addressed . . .
Karyn Frick honored for contributions to women’s health
Campus Notes
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