By Elizabeth Chapin, University of Kentucky 

New research shows that among the four states participating in the HEALing Communities Study, Kentucky communities achieved the greatest increase in the distribution of naloxone, a lifesaving medication that quickly reverses the effects of opioids and helps restore breathing in someone who is experiencing an overdose. (HEAL stands for Helping to End Addiction Long-term.)

The research, published Oct. 10 in the American Journal of Public Health, analyzed results from the HCS study, which included the University of Kentucky as a research site. Launched in 2019, the study was aimed at reducing overdose deaths in 67 communities across four states highly impacted by the opioid crisis: Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.

The study found that the eight Kentucky counties participating in the study’s first wave implemented 104 different strategies and achieved a distribution rate of 6,400 units of naloxone per 100,000 residents — for a total of 40,822 naloxone units. These intervention communities tripled their naloxone distribution compared to the control communities — an increase more than twice that of any other state in the study.

The new study results showed that across all four states, communities implementing the intervention distributed 79% more naloxone units compared to control communities. The increase was driven by several strategies including providing naloxone at addiction treatment centers, community outreach programs and increasing availability at local pharmacies.

“These findings show that engaging communities to implement evidence-based strategies can make a real difference in getting this lifesaving medication to those who need it most,” said lead author Trish Freeman, a professor at the UK College of Pharmacy who led the HEAL Prevention Team and coordinated HEAL’s naloxone education and distribution efforts in Kentucky.

HCS used the “Communities that HEAL” intervention, a process in which communities work with researchers to establish and expand proven practices for preventing overdose deaths — including increasing access to naloxone. In Kentucky, a team of more than 25 researchers from across UK’s campus led implementation efforts in partnership with community members, state and local leaders and public and private agencies.

Increasing access to naloxone is one of the three primary evidence-based strategies implemented in the HCS intervention, which also focuses on effective delivery of medication for opioid use disorder and improved prescription opioid safety practices.

An analysis of the study published earlier this year showed promising results in reducing opioid-related deaths. Communities implementing the intervention experienced a 9% lower rate of opioid overdose deaths compared to control communities.

Researchers are continuing to examine the study’s impact on overall overdose deaths, deaths with specific drug combinations like opioids and stimulants and nonfatal overdoses. UK’s HCS team also continues to analyze outcomes specific to the commonwealth, as well as key lessons from implementing the study during the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19 and fentanyl. Their goal is to use these findings to shape more effective strategies for tackling opioid addiction and preventing overdose deaths, both in Kentucky and across the nation.

(Editor’s note: In June, Kentucky Health News reported that the overall goal of the four-state $350 million HEALing Communities Study research grant that included Kentucky fell far short of its goal of reducing overdose deaths by 40% over four years, but did show an estimated 9% drop, saving an estimated 483 lives, but few in Kentucky.)