An Antidote to Overdose Deaths
Between 1999 and 2004, overdose deaths increased by 62 percent nationally. In Allegheny County, the increase for the same period was 97 percent. When Allegheny County declared it a public health emergency, family physician and addictions specialist Melinda Campopiano, MD, helped implement a program to prevent future overdoses.
As a board member and volunteer for Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP), Dr. Campopiano provides training on overdose
prevention and response to active drug users, agency staff, and family and friends who might be present at the scene of an overdose and who might be in a position to save someone’s life. She also writes prescriptions for naloxone, an overdose antidote.
“I saw so many families in my practice who were touched by addictions or a loss from overdose. One of my patients had a child who overdosed regularly, always being sent home with the admonition ‘Don’t do drugs.’ There had to be a better way.”
PPP also provides needle exchange services, health education, and free onsite HIV/Hepatitis C testing provided in collaboration with the Allegheny Health Department.
Last Updated: 12/8/2009