Take-home naloxone refers to naloxone that is administered outside of a health care setting by non-health care professionals (e.g., people who use drugs, friends, family members) who have received training to administer naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose. Findings from a 2018 systematic review indicate that take-home naloxone is effective in preventing opioid-related overdose deaths and that participating in take-home naloxone training results in increased knowledge of naloxone administration and recognizing, preventing, and responding to an opioid-related overdose. 

Given the effectiveness of take-home naloxone, the authors advocate for the continued implementation of take-home naloxone programs.369 The BC Take-Home Naloxone program, for example, is estimated to have averted 226 deaths between Jan 1 and Oct 31, 2016, preventing an additional 33% of the deaths that occurred during that time period.370 Moreover, a 2015 meta-analysis of 9 studies estimated that 9.2% of take-home naloxone kits distributed would be used within 3 months for every 100 PWUD who have received naloxone training and kits.371 

Clinicians should provide take-home naloxone kits and education directly to patients or refer patients to the BC Take-Home Naloxone program, where patients and anyone at risk of responding to an overdose can learn where to receive free take-home naloxone kits and training.