The purpose of this page is to support Washington State EMS with resources on overdose response and prevention. Resources include information about access to naloxone, guidance for starting a leave-behind program, related policies, data, and educational resources.
DOH Naloxone Programs
Naloxone for Rural EMS – WA PDO Program
As part of the Washington Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths (WA-PDO) grant, the DOH Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program is providing free naloxone for opioid overdose response to first responders in counties designated as rural. The program's end date is August 30, 2026.
If you are interested in participating, please contact the naloxone program for information.
EMS Naloxone Leave Behind Programs
The DOH Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program supports access to naloxone for people who are likely to experience or witness an opioid overdose. The program provides free naloxone for distribution to clients and community members, overdose recognition and response training for community organizations, and technical assistance to organizations that are interested in distributing naloxone.
- What is it?
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Naloxone leave-behind is a collaboration between public health and public safety that allows EMS clinicians to leave naloxone on-scene with patients and their support system when they have responded to an overdose call.
Research shows overdose survivors face a significantly increased risk of fatally overdosing in the future. EMS personnel can help reduce the risk of fatal overdose by giving naloxone kits directly to at-risk patients and their families, friends, and housemates.
- Why do a Naloxone Leave-Behind program?
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First responders are uniquely positioned to interrupt the cycle of nonfatal-to-fatal opioid overdose by increasing the distribution of overdose prevention resources to patients in real time.
Naloxone is provided at no cost to EMS services by the state of Washington.
Naloxone Leave-Behind programs improve linkages to care in the community, which can reduce future overdoses and the strain on the EMS workforce.
Naloxone leave-behind allows EMS professionals to give naloxone directly to the people who need it the most. By providing these kits, EMS can save lives beyond the patient care given in the moment of an overdose. While naloxone is not the sole answer to the overdose crisis, it can help patients live another day, improve community health, and prevent overburdening healthcare systems.
- How do I start a Naloxone Leave-Behind Program?
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If you are interested in applying for the program offered through DOH, please complete the Naloxone Program Application.
Tribes, tribal organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations can request naloxone using the Tribal Naloxone Request Form.
To request training for your organization, please visit Overdose Education and Response Training Form.
Naloxone Resources:
Statewide Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone
The Statewide Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone can be used as a prescription for naloxone. Individuals and organizations may take this standing order to a pharmacy to get naloxone instead of going to a health care provider to get a prescription.
- Statewide Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone: English (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF)
- Statewide Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone FAQ: English (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF)
Visit the Standing Orders page for general information about standing orders.
EMS Leave Behind Program Guidance (PDF)
EMS and Naloxone (PDF) | EMS and Naloxone (Word)