Saving Lives Through OOPP

The Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (OOPP) is administered through the Project SAFE (Syringes Available For Everyone) program at ACS. OOPP is a program designed to help a layperson prevent death in cases of opioid overdose; this intervention saved 4 lives during the month of January and another (so far) in February. Participants are taught how to recognize an active overdose, and they are trained and certified to intervene effectively. Once certified, participants receive an Overdose Prevention Rescue Kit which contains two doses of Naloxone (also known as Narcan); two 3cc intramuscular syringes, alcohol pads, a pair of gloves; rescue breathing face shield and a certification card. Narcan is an opioid antagonist, which means it reverses the effects of opioids such as heroin, methadone, oxycontin, lortabs, morphine and dilaudid. It doesn’t work for non-opioids such as cocaine, alcohol, or benzodiazepines.

As of February 6, 2009 there are 101 certified Opioid Overdose Prevention Rescue Responders. Project SAFE staff is encouraging participants to bring friends, family members or other IVD users to become trained and certified in OOPP. Training times and locations are flexible; for more information or to schedule a training, contact Rashone Scott-Williams at rwilliams@aidscommunityservices.com.