Opioid overdose is a leading cause of death in the United States. Community overdose education and naloxone distribution programs have been shown to decrease overdose deaths and the emergency department (ED) is an ideal setting for opioid overdose death prevention through the distribution of overdose naloxone rescue kits, overdose prevention and response education. An ED is an important point for referral to substance use disorder treatment and/or opioid medication safety education, depending on the patient’s circumstances. Hospitals in several states and the Veterans Administration system have started ED-based overdose education and naloxone prescription/distribution programs. We provide some sample documents that may facilitate the process.
