Maryland Department of Health
The Overdose Response Program

 ​Center for Harm Reduction Services

The Overdose Response Program 
 
The Center for Harm Reduction Services administers the Overdose Response Program, which provides the means for training bystanders to administer naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose. MDH authorizes local entities as Overdose Response Programs, allowing them to provide overdose education and dispense naloxone through partnerships with prescribers. 

Entities Seeking Authorization as Overdose Response Programs

Entities interested in providing overdose education and those interested in dispensing naloxone may apply for authorization as an Overdose Response Program with MDH. Entities may apply for authorization to provide training. In order to dispense naloxone as an authorized Overdose Response Program, entities must enter into an agreement with a licensed health care provider with prescribing authority. This prescriber may issue a standing order prescription for all individuals trained by the authorized entity, and may delegate dispensing to employees/volunteers of the entity. The prescriber will also work with entities to establish dispensing protocols. 

Entities authorized by MDH as Overdose Response Programs may be eligible to receive free naloxone from MDH to dispense to trainees. After becoming authorized, see below 'Naloxone for Authorized Overdose Response Programs' or contact mdh.naloxone@maryland.gov for more information. 

Entities applying for ORP authorization can access the web form here​. ​The following documents are required to be uploaded to the web form​ for entities that plan to dispense naloxone to trainees. They are not required for entities planning to provide training only. 
Dispensing Protocol Template, click here​
Naloxone Standing Order, c
lick here
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Licensed Health Care Provider Agreement, click here
  
Naloxone Use Report
 
The Maryland Department of Health continues to track naloxone administrations. The form will collect basic information about whether or not naloxone was used, how many doses were used, whether or not 911 was called, and whether or not it is known if the person went into an ambulance or started breathing again. You no longer have to email the report, you can now access the report through our web-based form, which can be accessed from anywhere. Please complete the form as fully as possible when you learn of naloxone use in the community. You can access the web-based form here​. 

Resources for Authorized Overdose Response Programs
Naloxone Saturation
ACCESS Resources Request (Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips)

We offer intramuscular injectable naloxone, Narcan nasal spray and fentanyl test strips at no cost to the Overdose Response Program through ACCESS. To apply for naloxone, you must be a local health department or non-profit organization with an active ORP status. To apply for fentanyl test strips only, you must be a non-profit or government entity. If your organization qualifies for this opportunity you can request naloxone and/or fentanyl test strips at any time through the ACCESS Resources Request Form​. For more information on how to place an order or further assistance, please email mdh.access@maryland.gov. ​

For entities interested in applying for naloxone that are not authorized as Overdose Response Programs, email mdh.naloxone@maryland.gov​ or see above information about applying for authorization as an Overdose Response Program. 

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 Overdose Response Program

(March 2014 - March 5, 2019)​

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# Individuals Trained* 
123,819
# Doses of Naloxone  Dispensed*
146,062

# of Naloxone Administrations reported to BHA**
3,291
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* Training and dispensing statistics are maintained by authorized training entities and reported to MDH on a monthly basis. 
**Naloxone administration information is voluntarily reported by bystanders to the Maryland Poison Center or to an authorized training entity and subsequently provided to MDH on a monthly basis. ​ ​​

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