April 19, 2006

TO: Rudolph A. Diaz, Chairman

Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission

FROM: Neil Haas, Committee Chair

Ad Hoc Committee on Narcan Distribution

SUBJECT: NARCOTICS AND DANGEROUS DRUGS COMMISSION AD HOC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION ON NARCAN (NALOXONE) DISTRIBUTION

This is to provide you with the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission (NDDC) Ad Hoc Committee recommendation on the nature and extent of drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County and possible Public Health responses, such as Narcan distribution. The Committee met on March 15, 2006, to discuss this matter and to develop its recommendation. Committee members in attendance included: Commissioners Vivian Brown, Robert McNeil, Albert Senella, Michael Sopher, and myself. Other resource persons in attendance included: Sergeant Raul Perez from the Sheriff’s Department; and Elan Shultz from Dr. Fielding’s Office.

The Committee recommends that the NDDC supports the Department of Health Services, Public Health in developing a plan for Narcan distribution as a strategy to reduce drug overdose deaths. The Committee suggests the Department to consider the following topics when developing this plan:

1. To implement a pilot program prior to broad distribution;

2. Consider utilizing needle exchange programs and detoxification facilities for training and distribution;

3. To promote knowledge and awareness of Narcan’s use in the prevention of overdose deaths to the community including law enforcement, outreach workers, and addiction treatment programs;

4. The program should include training in related topics such as rescue breathing, “don’t fix alone,” and the symptoms of opiate overdose;

5. Funding should not reduce other Addiction services;

6. Evauluate liability issues; and

7. In the future, to consider including Narcan training in conjunction with “one stop” services for the homeless.

If you have any questions or need additional information on this matter, please let me know.

NH:mm

Narcan-recomm04_06fnl.doc