Title
City of Phoenix Naloxone Program: Administration and Community Take-Home Distribution
Description
This report serves as an update for the Economic and Development Subcommittee, outlining the progress of the City of Phoenix Naloxone Program during the third quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, spanning January through March 2024.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
In August of 2021, the City of Phoenix joined cities, towns, and counties across Arizona in signing on to the One Arizona Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding (“One Arizona agreement”). The One Arizona Agreement outlines the distribution of the estimated $542 million dollars that Arizona will receive over 18 years. As part of the spending framework, 56 percent of the total settlement will be disbursed to local governments and 44 percent of the total settlement will remain with the State to fund future opioid programs and response efforts. The City of Phoenix receives 21.28 percent of the funding received by Maricopa County, which is dispersed annually.
Under the One Arizona Opioid Settlement, funds must be used for future opioid strategies that are nationally recognized. Approved uses include evidence-based, evidence-informed strategies addressing:
- Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
- Support for people in treatment and recovery.
- Support for people who have or are at risk of developing OUD.
- Prevention of overdose deaths and other harms.
- Prevention of opioid misuse.
In 2023, Fire/Emergency Medical System responded to approximately 4,554 suspected opioid overdoses in the City of Phoenix. In addition, the City of Phoenix accounts for majority of fatal overdoses within Maricopa County, most involving opioids. Naloxone, commonly known as the brand Narcan®, is a type of medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone is an evidence-based and nationally recognized strategy to prevent opioid overdose deaths, highlighted by the Center for Disease as one of the top 10 actions communities can take to prevent overdose fatalities.
The City of Phoenix Naloxone Program launched in August 2023 and includes training on opioid overdose and the use of naloxone through the following distribution methods.
Administration: Employees and non-employee volunteers elect to carry naloxone or have quick access to naloxone for overdose response. Participants are trained and can administer naloxone to someone experiencing an overdose.
Take-Home: Residents are provided a free naloxone kit through participating City of Phoenix departments via direct outreach or through physical City locations. The goal of the Naloxone Program is to:
- Increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose.
- Increase awareness of naloxone for opioid overdose.
- Increase accessibility of naloxone.
- Increase efficacy for responding to overdose.
- Decrease stigma associated with overdose.
- Decrease overdose fatalities in Phoenix.
Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Training
Public Health staff developed opioid overdose and naloxone training in collaboration with Phoenix Fire, Human Resources, Phoenix TV, Communications and PHXYou. All City employees and non-employee volunteers are encouraged to complete the training. As of March 2024, 2,564 employees and non-employee volunteers have completed the training. Training will be updated and renewed on an annual basis.
Communication and Social Media
In collaboration with Communication Office staff, the Naloxone Program page on the Office of Public Health's website provides up-to-date information. The website is designed to offer visitors valuable resources, including guidance on recognizing overdose symptoms, an instructional video on administering naloxone, resources for individuals dealing with substance use, and educational content focused on dispelling myths and promoting awareness through language.
To increase awareness about overdose signs, symptoms and naloxone and circulate accurate information within the community, Social Media platforms will serve as key channels for promotion of the program and key messages. As of March 2024, the Office of Public Health website received 1,903 user engagements and 2,838 views.
Naloxone Distribution
Naloxone kits made available through the City of Phoenix Naloxone Program include: two does (4 mg) of Narcan® nasal spray, one pair of nitrile gloves, one breathing shield for CPR rescue breaths, and instructional pamphlet in English and Spanish.
The following City departments were onboarded to the Naloxone Program in the third quarter of FY 2023-24:
- Administration and Take-Home - Head Start.
- Administration and Take-Home - Family Services Centers.
- Administration and Take-Home - Senior Centers.
- Administration and Take-Home - Workforce Development.
In addition, the following City departments continue to support and participate in the Naloxone Program.
Administration only:
- Aviation
- Human Resources
- Office of Homeless Solutions
- Municipal Court
Take-Home and Administration:
- Library Services
- Housing
- Neighborhood Services
- Victim Services, Human Services Division
- Office of Heat Response and Mitigation
- Community Assistance Program (CAP)
Distribution Method
The City of Phoenix Naloxone Program uses a strategy to get naloxone kits where they are needed most:
- Overdose Heat Map: Identify areas with high rates of fatal and non-fatal overdoses. This supports where naloxone is most urgently needed.
- Prioritize Locations: Based on the map and focusing on specific places with the greatest need. This targeted approach ensures we make the most impact where it matters most.
- Low-Barrier Distribution: By implementing the displays in locations strategically, we aim to get naloxone into the hands of those who need it quickly and without hassle (i.e., No ID needed, do not have to speak with facility staff, or provide lengthy information etc.).
During quarter three the naloxone program expanded to 25 new physical locations bring the take-home program operating total to 48 locations citywide. In addition to physical locations, naloxone is distributed through mobile teams via the CAP and the new Library Services Bookmobile.
Distribution Overview
From January to March 2024, 2,269 naloxone kits were distributed through take-home and administration. The breakdown of distribution by naloxone program type:
- Take Home: 2,195.
- Administration: 74.
As of March 2024, the City of Phoenix Naloxone Program has distributed 6,026 naloxone kits:
- Take-Home: 5,699.
- Administration: 327 with four of these kits being used to administer naloxone by City employees.
Community Events
In the third quarter, the Office of Public Health staff actively participated in community events to raise awareness and distribute naloxone kits. Notable events included Healthy Recovery Forum, Central City South Connection Fair, and Arizona Veteran’s Alliance event.
Volunteer Phoenix Involvement
Volunteers continue to play a crucial role in the program's success, contributing approximately:
- 58 volunteers.
- 110 hours of dedicated service.
- Completion of 3,800 naloxone kits.
Financial Impact
The Naloxone Program is funded through the City’s One Arizona Settlement dollars. Naloxone is an approved abatement strategy and allowable expense under this agreement. To date, approximately $49,000 dollars have been spent to support the Naloxone Program.
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Office of Public Health.