Maryland Health Department Launches Online Opioid Overdose Tool

ANNAPOLIS, MD — International Overdose Awareness Day falls on Saturday, Aug. 31, and in recognition of this day, the Maryland Department of Health has launched a tool to help prevent overdose deaths using naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone can be injected into a muscle or vein or sprayed into the nose.

The naloxone electronic toolkit, or NET, contains downloadable content that can be promoted on public and employee websites. By providing access to information about naloxone and naloxone administration, Marylanders can be better prepared to both recognize the signs of an overdose and know how to respond appropriately.

"This International Overdose Awareness Day, we want to remember those who lost their lives to overdose, to reduce stigma about addiction and build on the progress we’re making in driving down the number of fatal overdoses we’re seeing across Maryland,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall in a statement. “NET is another method of getting the word out and teaching people what to do in case of an overdose. Any approach that will save a life is worth taking.”

NET can be found on BeforeItsTooLateMD.org, which provides comprehensive resources and information related to the opioid crisis. NET includes information about recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose and a brief training video on how to correctly administer naloxone nasal spray. Printable posters and brochures are also included, in addition to information about the standing order that allows people to go to any pharmacy in Maryland and ask for naloxone without a prescription or certificate. All information is provided in English and Spanish.

Naloxone is available at Maryland pharmacies without a prescription and through authorized training entities. For a list of these entities, visit: https://bit.ly/2ZDKAsk. To access NET, visit: https://howtoadministernaloxone.maryland.gov/.