Naloxone kits at transit stops can save lives

A new study suggests that placing naloxone kits at public transit locations could be an effective way to save lives from drug overdoses. The research was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on March 17. It found that transit stops offer the best coverage and access for people needing the life-saving medication. The study, led by researcher Benjamin Leung, analyzed data on over 14,000 opioid poisonings in Metro Vancouver from 2014 to 2020. It compared these incidents to the locations of 647 naloxone distribution sites. The findings showed that current locations cover about 35 percent of overdoses, but targeting just 10 transit stops alone could increase coverage to over 20 percent. With 1,000 kits at transit stops, coverage could jump to over 53 percent. Leung pointed out that many people might not always carry naloxone kits with them. He mentioned that just like a fire extinguisher, it is not practical to have a kit at all times. The study emphasized the need for optimized placement of naloxone at high-risk public transit areas. Researchers identified more than 8,900 potential transit stops for kit placement. However, Leung noted that it would not be cost-effective to place kits at every stop. The price of naloxone kits ranges from $30 to $50, and additional costs can raise the overall price to between $150 and $200 per kit. Leung suggested that transit stops are easily recognizable and proposed a strategy similar to how defibrillators are placed in public areas. He pointed to downtown Vancouver, Surrey, and New Westminster as high-risk locations for overdoses that need better naloxone coverage. The goal of the study is to help policymakers improve access to naloxone and reduce overdose deaths in British Columbia. Since the public health emergency began in 2016, more than 16,000 people in the province have died from toxic drug overdoses. Recent data shows a decline in overdose fatalities, with 152 deaths reported in January, down over 30 percent from the same month in 2024.