Gateway Rehab expands naloxone research

Gateway Rehab and its research partner have expanded its naloxone project to include 10 regional outpatient locations. A $50,000 grant from the Staunton Farm Foundation made expansion of the research project possible. 

The yearlong research project with the Kenneth S. Ramsey, PhD Research and Training Institute provides overdose prevention and education to patients and their family members upon completion of treatment. Participants learn how to prevent and identify an overdose and, if an overdose should occur, how to administer intranasal naloxone. Monthly follow-up appointments with Research and Training Institute staff for six months following completion of treatment is also required.

Dr. Cara Renzelli, vice president of Research and Clinical Training at Gateway Rehab, leads the research project from the Kenneth S. Ramsey, PhD Research and Training Institute at Gateway Rehab, which she also oversees.

"Although great strides have been made recently in increasing naloxone's availability, there is relatively little research available on the public's awareness of the medication and the circumstances surrounding overdoses," said Renzelli in a press release.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency(PCCD) awarded Gateway Rehab $113,900 in February to launch the project in its adult inpatient programs.