WHO-UNODC “Stop Overdose Safely (S-O-S)” initiative

Overdose is the leading cause of avoidable death among people who inject drugs. Globally more than 100 000 people die from opioid overdoses each year. A medication known as naloxone exists that can prevent death among people who have overdosed. First responders such as people who use opioids, their peers and family members, health professionals, police and fire personnel using naloxone effectively following an overdose is at the project’s core.

In response to the  2016 General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem, and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 55/7 on "Promoting measures to prevent drug overdose, in particular opioid overdose," as well as based on the  2014 Guidelines on Community Management of Opioid Overdose the “Stop Overdose Safely (S-O-S)” initiative was launched.

The prevention of opioid overdose, through provision of naloxone access and of evidence-based drug dependence treatment, in particular pharmacological treatment with long-acting opioid agonists, has been one of the major areas of work of the UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care.

WHO Recommendations

1. People likely to witness an opioid overdose should have access to naloxone and be instructed in its administration to enable them to use it for the emergency management of suspected opioid overdose.  

2. Naloxone is effective when delivered by intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intranasal routes of administration. Persons using naloxone should select a route of administration based on the formulation available, their skills in administration, the setting and local context.

3. In suspected opioid overdose, first responders should focus on airway management, assisting ventilation and administering naloxone.

4. After successful resuscitation following the administration of naloxone, the level of consciousness and breathing of the affected person should be closely observed until full recovery has been achieved.

• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime