The Thematic Dashboard: Naloxone contains information and metrics regarding State programs that distribute and administer naloxone. Naloxone is a nonscheduled (not addictive) prescription medication that can rapidly counteract the life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system that occurs during an opioid overdose. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to an overdose caused from fentanyl, heroin, or prescription opioid pain medications.
Metrics in this dashboard include the following:
- Naloxone doses distributed by the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative (MNDI)
- Opioid reversals reported to the MNDI using state-supplied naloxone
- Naloxone distributed by the OPTIONS initiative and by ME EMS
- Naloxone administrations by ME EMS
At the end of each metrics and the information narratives below there are citations to the Strategy or sub-Strategy from the Opioid Response Strategic Action Plan that is addressed or measured.
Recent reports by the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative
Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative, Q3 2023 Report
Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative, Q2 2023 Report
Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative, Q1 2023 Report
Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative, Annual Report, 2022
Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative, Q2 2022 Report
Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative, Annual Report, 2021
The Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative (MNDI) ensures widespread distribution and ease of access of naloxone for the general public
The MNDI (website: https://www.getmainenaloxone.org) is a tier-based naloxone distribution network that began distributing naloxone throughout the State of Maine in 2019. The Tier One naloxone distributors have contracts with the State to order and distribute naloxone both directly to end users and to a network of Tier Two naloxone distributors that have naloxone on hand in case of an overdose emergency or they redistribute the naloxone to end users in the community. Tier Two distributors consist of a variety of organizations and individuals including businesses, schools, community organizations, public health organizations, ME EMS, OPTIONS Liaisons, and Syringe Access Providers.
The following metric tracks the doses of State-supplied naloxone distributed broadly into Maine communities as well as the reported opioid overdose reversals reported by community partners. To date, State-supplied naloxone has reversed a reported 6,848 overdoses. The data is provided by public health and harm reduction partners. The data is updated monthly. (Strategy 15.a)
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative.
The State of Maine is dedicated to ensuring the availability of naloxone (Narcan®) for individuals at greatest risk of experiencing overdose
The Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone, and Safety (OPTIONS) initiative
Through the OPTIONS initiative (website: https://www.knowyouroptions.me) behavioral health mobile response teams are deployed in each of Maine’s 16 counties. These licensed behavioral health clinicians, who are embedded in a law enforcement department within the county they serve, educate and engage individuals at high risk for overdose in harm reduction strategies including the distribution and use of naloxone. They also offer referrals to treatment and recovery services. Visit the above website to find your local OPTIONS liaisons and know your options today. (Strategy 14.a)
The following metric tracks the doses of State-supplied naloxone distributed by OPTIONS behavioral health liaisons. Project-to-date (Oct ’20 – Aug ’23) Liaisons have distributed a total of 7,614 doses of naloxone. This data is updated monthly.
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.
Maine EMS naloxone leave-behind program
L.D. 1333 authorized Maine EMS clinicians to dispense naloxone to persons experiencing substance use disorder, their family, and/or their friends. The Department of Public Safety received a $6 million Department of Justice Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program (COSSAP) grant that funds the ongoing statewide response to the opioid epidemic that will fund this initiative among other projects. Maine EMS, working alongside the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative, began distributing naloxone to individuals on overdose related response calls in January of 2022.
The following metric tracks doses of naloxone distributed by the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative to Maine EMS and doses of naloxone distributed by Maine EMS clinicians to people in need and affected others. This data is reported monthly. (Strategy 14.b)
Source: Maine EMS.
Maine EMS plays an integral role in reducing fatal overdoses by responding to opioid-related emergencies with naloxone to prevent drug deaths.
Maine EMS responds to a variety of opioid-associated resuscitative emergencies involving patient conditions including chronic pain management for musculoskeletal pain or cancer-related pain, illicit drug use, and intentional overdose. By administering naloxone in the out-of-hospital setting, opioid-related overdoses are reversed and lives are saved.
This metric tracks the incidents responded to by Maine EMS that require the administration of naloxone. This metric is an indicator of fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses, both accidental and intentional. This data is provided by Maine EMS. The data is updated monthly. Data for latest month is provisional. Naloxone administrations can occur for non opioid-related incidents as a treatment to respond to unconscious patients.
EMS Overdose Incidents Requiring Naloxone Administration by County, 2021
Source: Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, University of Maine.