HUB TAKES STEPS TO COMBAT FATAL OVERDOSE CRISIS

The Boston Public Health Commission plans to launch a new pilot
program this month to combat what it calls the city's "severe and
growing" problem of fatal drug overdoses. The overdose prevention and
reversal program would train active opiate drug users - those who
inject or use drugs such as heroin, OxyContin and fentanyl - how to
counteract what could be fatal overdoses by spraying nasal doses of
the prescription drug Narcan.

"The increase in the purity levels of heroin and the decrease in
prices have led to a larger number of heroin overdoses, both fatal
and nonfatal, and a greater number of young people who are
experimenting with heroin," said John Auerbach, the commission's
executive director.

Training drug users to use Narcan would be one part of a larger
three-prong educational program offered as an option to current
clients of the city's needle-exchange program, which typically sees
1,000 people over a three-month period. Similar programs, using
Narcan injections, are operating in Baltimore, Chicago, New York, New
Mexico and San Francisco.

"Our first priority is assisting them in stopping their use of
harmful drugs," Auerbach said.

Those who say they're not ready for treatment will be taught how to
prevent overdoses from being fatal by calling 911, checking vital
signs, using rescue breathing, and not using drugs when they're alone.

"The third piece of the program will offer them the opportunity to
see a doctor who will determine if they should be prescribed Narcan,"
Auerbach said.

Narcan is stocked in each of the city's ambulances to combat
overdoses and also is used in emergency rooms. Its use still would
require those who overdose to call 911 for medical attention, as the
effects can wear off within a half-hour to 45 minutes.

The city of Baltimore, which has one of the nation's worst heroin
problems, launched its "Saving Lives" program that uses Narcan
injections in April 2004.

"We have around 900 people trained, and we've had approximately 100
reported reversals," said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore's public
health commissioner.