Preventing Overdose and Naloxone Intervention (PONI)
PONI is an opioid overdose prevention and naloxone distribution program focused on reducing opioid-related overdose deaths in Rhode Island.
In collaboration with community organizations across the state, PONI distributes harm reduction/safer use supplies, including intramuscular naloxone, safer smoking kits, fentanyl testing strips, safer snorting kits, and wound care kits.
Every PONI kit is distributed free of charge to training participants.
Trainings initially began as part of a research pilot effort in 2006, primarily emphasizing community awareness and information more than naloxone kit distribution.
PONI coordinates the distribution of intramuscular naloxone and harm reduction supplies for the community organizations in Rhode Island, collaborating with more than 80 partner organizations.
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A map of free drop-in naloxone trainings. Click for more info.
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Preventing Overdose and Naloxone Intervention (PONI) is a program out of The Miriam Hospital focused on reducing opioid-related overdose deaths in Rhode Island. PONI provides people with the training and tools needed to save a life:
At a training, participants learn how to prevent, recognize, and respond to an opioid overdose.
PONI also distributes free kits containing naloxone, a lifesaving drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
PONI trainings initially began as part of a research pilot effort in 2006, primarily emphasizing community awareness and information more than naloxone kit distribution.
Over time, these efforts have expanded. In collaboration with other community organizations, PONI distributed over 6,800 naloxone kits throughout the state of Rhode Island in 2018.
Turning the tide of the opioid epidemic will require the efforts of healthcare providers, legislators, rehabilitation centers, and many other entities. Preventing overdose deaths critically depends on individuals in the community who encounter the crisis at the ground level.
Preventing overdose deaths critically depends on individuals in the community who encounter the crisis at the ground level. Turning the tide of the opioid epidemic will require the efforts of healthcare providers, legislators, rehabilitation centers, and many other entities.
Learn how to save a life as a group.
100% of donations buy naloxone kits.