WHO Recommends Increased Access to So-Called Overdose Antidote

Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The World Health Organization released updated guidelines on Tuesday that say naloxone, the so-called overdose antidote that reverses the effects of opioids, such as heroin, should be more widely available.

The guidelines were updated with the goal of reducing the number of deaths from opioid overdose each year. The WHO cites figures that show approximately 69,000 people die from opioid overdose each year. Among intravenous drug users, opioid overdose is second only to HIV/AIDS for cause of death.

The key recommendations in the updated guidelines include increased availability of naloxone to those who are “likely to witness an opioid overdose, including people at risk of an overdose, their family and friends, and anyone whose work brings them in contact with people susceptible to overdoses, including health care workers, police and emergency service workers.”

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