A novel naloxone distribution intervention among persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness: Acceptability of naloxone training and distribution during an annual Point-in-Time Count

Background The United States is experiencing an intersecting crisis of structural inequities driving unprecedented rates of homelessness and the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic. Consequently, persons experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of dying from opioid related fatalities. While naloxone engagement is crucial to mitigating opioid related mortality, persons experiencing homelessness encounter structural barriers to obtaining and retaining naloxone. The main purpose of this study was to explore the acceptability of a novel overdose management training and naloxone distribution effort during an annual Point-in-Time (PIT) unsheltered count. Methods The distribution of naloxone kits was tracked, and PIT Count volunteers were recruited via convenience sampling for an electronic postintervention survey to assess the intervention’s acceptability. Descriptive statistics were performed to explore volunteer’s perceptions of acceptability, based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability, for both the overdose management training and naloxone distribution efforts during the PIT Count. Results Results revealed a high level of acceptability for both the overdose management training and naloxone distribution efforts among volunteers during the PIT Count. Conclusions Results highlight that naloxone distribution during the PIT Count was generally acceptable to PIT Count volunteers. These findings have significant implications for the adoption of naloxone distribution efforts during PIT Counts throughout the United States to increase naloxone engagement and reduce opioid related mortality among persons experiencing homelessness and provide a foundation for future effectiveness studies.