Naloxone: The opioid overdose reversal medicine

AbstractRespiratory insufficiency is a leading cause of death due to drug overdose or neuromuscular disease. We hypothesized that a stimulation paradigm using temporal interference (TI) could restore breathing in such conditions. Following opioid overdose in rats, two high frequency (5000 Hz and 5001 Hz), low amplitude waveforms delivered via intramuscular wires in the neck immediately activated the diaphragm and restored ventilation in phase with waveform offset (1 Hz or 60 breaths/min). Following cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), TI stimulation via dorsally placed epidural electrodes uni- or bilaterally activated the diaphragm depending on current and electrode position. In silico modeling indicated that an interferential signal in the ventral spinal cord predicted the evoked response (left versus right diaphragm) and current-ratio-based steering. We conclude that TI stimulation can activate spinal motor neurons after SCI and prevent fatal apnea during drug overdose by restoring ventilation with minimally invasive electrodes.

Download Full-text

Commercial Fishing as an Occupational Determinant of Opioid Overdoses and Deaths of Despair in Two Massachusetts Fishing Ports, 2000–2014

NEW SOLUTIONS A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy ◽

10.1177/10482911211023476 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104829112110234

Author(s):

Scott Fulmer ◽

Shruti Jain ◽

David Kriebel

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cause Of Death ◽

Death Certificate ◽

The United States ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Commercial Fishing ◽

Opioid Epidemic ◽

Death Certificate Data ◽

Deaths Of Despair

The opioid epidemic has had disproportionate effects across various sectors of the population, differentially impacting various occupations. Commercial fishing has among the highest rates of occupational fatalities in the United States. This study used death certificate data from two Massachusetts fishing ports to calculate proportionate mortality ratios of fatal opioid overdose as a cause of death in commercial fishing. Statistically significant proportionate mortality ratios revealed that commercial fishermen were greater than four times more likely to die from opioid poisoning than nonfishermen living in the same fishing ports. These important quantitative findings suggest opioid overdoses, and deaths to diseases of despair in general, deserve further study in prevention, particularly among those employed in commercial fishing.

Download Full-text

Women’s multiple uses of an overdose prevention technology to mitigate risks and harms within a supportive housing environment: a qualitative study

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01196-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Geoff Bardwell ◽

Taylor Fleming ◽

Ryan McNeil ◽

Jade Boyd

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Urban Setting ◽

Supportive Housing ◽

People Who Use Drugs ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Response Button ◽

Gender Based Violence ◽

Emergency Situations ◽

Housing Environment ◽

Gender Based

Abstract Background North America is amidst an opioid overdose epidemic. In many settings, particularly Canada, the majority of overdose deaths occur indoors and impact structurally vulnerable people who use drugs alone, making targeted housing-based interventions a priority. Mobile applications have been developed that allow individuals to solicit help to prevent overdose death. We examine the experiences of women residents utilizing an overdose response button technology within a supportive housing environment. Methods In October 2019, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 14 residents of a women-only supportive housing building in an urban setting where the overdose response button technology was installed. Data was analyzed thematically and framed by theories of structural vulnerability. Results While participants described the utility and disadvantages of the technology for overdose response, most participants, unexpectedly described alternate adoptions of the technology. Participants used the technology for other emergency situations (e.g., gender-based violence), rather than its intended purpose of overdose response. Conclusions Our findings highlight the limitations of current technologies while also demonstrating the clear need for housing-based emergency response interventions that address not just overdose risk but also gender-based violence. These need to be implemented alongside larger strategies to address structural vulnerabilities and provide greater agency to marginalized women who use drugs.

Download Full-text