Pharmacy Benefits Management Services

Opioid Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution (OEND) and Other Harm Reduction Resources

The VHA OEND Program aims to reduce harm and risk of life-threatening opioid-related overdose and deaths among Veterans.  Key components of the OEND program include education and training regarding opioid overdose prevention, recognition of opioid overdose, opioid overdose rescue response, and issuing naloxone kits.  VHA Academic Detailing Services (ADS) has worked with the Office of Mental Health to produce patient education brochures for overdose prevention, overdose recognition, and instructional guides for the naloxone products. To support the Guidelines for Safety Station Programs in Federal Facilities (see also Safety station Program Guidelines in Federal Facilities General Services Administration Bulletin) resources are also available to support naloxone implementation across VA.

VA Resources for Naloxone in Safety Stations and VA Police


Patient Guides:

Opioid Overdose Rescue With Naloxone Nasal Spray
Opioid Overdose Rescue With Naloxone Intramuscular Injection
  -Spanish Version: Rescate de sobredosis de opioides con inyeccion intramuscular de naloxona
Opioid Overdose Rescure with Naloxone Prefilled Syringe for Injection
Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversing an Overdose with Naloxone
My pain medicine: Am I at risk for an accidental overdose?
  -Spanish Version: Mi analgesico: estoy en riesgo de sufrir una sobredosis accidental?
Fentanyl and Carfentanil: One time could be the LAST time
Xylazine: What you need to know

Provider Guides:

Prescribe Naloxone and Save a Life!
Naloxone Formulations 2022
Xylazine: What Clinicians Need to Know

How to get Naloxone:
- If you or a family member uses opioids, you should have naloxone on hand.
- If you're a Veteran who uses opioids, ask your VA provider about prescribing you naloxone, which is provided free.
- If you are not enrolled in VHA care, or if you're a family member or friend of a Veteran who is interested in getting naloxone, talk to a local pharmacist, health department, or community group. Many can provide naloxone without a prescription, though there may be a fee in some states.

VA Rapid Naloxone:
The VA Rapid Naloxone Initiative aims to prevent opioid overdose deaths among Veterans through 3 elements: (1) Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) to VHA patients at-risk for opioid overdose, (2) VA Police Naloxone, and (3) select Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Cabinet Naloxone. The VA Rapid Naloxone Initiative is just one part of VA’s multi-faceted national strategy to address the opioid epidemic.

Additional Related VA Resources:
- To learn more about VA substance use disorder treatment, click here.
- To learn more about VA pain management programs, click here.
- To learn more about VA Whole Health, click here.

Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Videos:

• Introduction to Naloxone for People with Opioid Use Disorders - This video demonstrates how to introduce the topic of naloxone to people with opioid use disorders.
• Introduction to Naloxone for People Taking Prescribed Opioids - This video demonstrates how to introduce the topic of naloxone to people taking prescribed opioids.
• How to Use the VA Naloxone Nasal Spray - This video demonstrates how to train people on how to use naloxone nasal spray.
• How to Use the VA Intramuscular Naloxone Kit - This video demonstrates how to train people on how to use VA Intramuscular Naloxone kits.
• Narcan Saves Lives: I am the evidence-Brian - Brian recounts how Narcan (Naloxone) saved his life and advocates for the wider distribution of this safe treatment to reverse fatal heroin and other opioid overdoses.
• Presenting Evidence-Based Treatment Options for Opioid Addiction - Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the first-line treatment for opioid addiction, or opioid use disorder. MAT is a combination of FDA-approved medications and behavioral therapy, which allows people struggling to reach and remain in recovery. Learn the risks at: PeoplesOpioidProject.org
• Overdose Prevention: Reducing the Risk for Overdose - A few tips to prevent prescription opioid overdose.
• Difficult Conversations: Navigating Patient Conversations About Opioids Unique Challenges - The video illustrates a few ways to compassionately discuss pain management with patients that are expecting opioids, and how to navigate the difficult conversations surrounding how opioids become more addictive, and less effective over time.