Independent evaluation of the ‘Expanded Naloxone Availability in the ACT (ENAACT)’ Program, 2011-2013

  • Research program: Harm reduction policy and strategies
  • Project status: Completed
  • Start date: November 2011
  • Expected end date: July 2015
  • Completion date: October 2016
  • Funded by: ACT Health
  • Lead organisation:

This study comprises an evaluation of the ACT Peer Naloxone Program which commenced in 2012. Naloxone is a schedule 4 drug in the ACT that is routinely used by health personnel to reverse opioid overdoses. Consistent with developments internationally, the Alcohol and Other Drug sector in the ACT has designed a public health program to expand naloxone availability in the ACT with the aim of reducing opioid overdose morbidity and mortality. Subject to funding becoming available, the program will commence in September/October 2011 and will run, initially, for two years. The Expanding Naloxone Availability in the ACT (ENAACT) program involves comprehensive overdose management training and the supply on prescription of take-home naloxone to eligible participants who are not health professionals. The evaluation uses a mixed methods strategy, assessing implementation fidelity and participants’ experiences of the program. It will contribute significantly to new knowledge about the implementation of expanded naloxone availability in the ACT context.

Name & Contact Details Role Research Program Location
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Professor Paul Dietze
Tel: 61 (0)409530027
paul.dietze@curtin.edu.au
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Chief Investigator

Harm reduction policy and strategies

Melbourne

  • Chief Investigator: David McDonald, Australian National University

Professor Paul Dietze
Professor
Tel: 61 (0)409530027
paul.dietze@curtin.edu.au
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Professor Simon Lenton
Director
Tel: 61 (0)8 9266 1603
s.lenton@curtin.edu.au
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This project aligns with the following Sustainable Development Goals and Targets:

Olsen, A., McDonald, D., Lenton, S. and Dietze, P. (2018). Assessing causality in drug policy analyses: How useful are the Bradford Hill criteria in analyzing take-home naloxone programs? Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (4), pp. 499-501. doi:10.1111/dar.12523 [RJ1328] View web page

Lenton, S., Dietze, P. and Jauncey, M. (2016). Perspective: Australia reschedules naloxone for overdose. Medical Journal of Australia, 204, (4), pp. 146-7. doi:10.5694/mja15.01181 [RJ1141] View web page

Lenton, S. and Dietze, P. (2015). Explainer: What is naloxone and how can it help save drug users who overdose? The Conversation. [UJ206] View web page

Lenton, S., Dietze, P., Olsen, A., Wiggins, N., McDonald, D. and Fowlie, C. (2015). Working together: Expanding the availability of naloxone for peer administration to prevent opioid overdose deaths in the Australian Capital Territory and beyond. Drug and Alcohol Review, 34, (4), pp. 404-411. doi:10.1111/dar.12198 [RJ980] View web page

Olsen, A., McDonald, D., Lenton, S. and Dietze, P. (2015). Independent evaluation of the 'Implementing Expanded Naloxone Availability in the ACT (I-ENAACT) Program', 2011-2014; final report. Centre for Research Into Injecting Drug Use, Melbourne, Victoria. [T241] Download PDF