The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced updates to its guidelines for the treatment of opioid dependence and the community management of opioid overdose, underscoring the urgent global need for effective interventions.

 

Opioid dependence remains a major driver of death and disease worldwide. In 2023, an estimated 316 million people used drugs globally, including 61 million engaging in non-medical opioid use. Opioids account for the largest share of drug-related health burdens, including fatal overdoses. Of roughly 600,000 deaths linked to drug use, about 450,000 are due to opioids.

 

“Ensuring that people with opioid dependence—and those at risk of opioid overdose—have access to affordable, ethical, high-quality and evidence-based support and care is essential,” WHO emphasized. Yet, despite an estimated 64 million people living with drug use disorders, fewer than 10% receive treatment.

 

WHO’s updated guidelines aim to close this gap by expanding access to effective care and reducing deaths through evidence-based recommendations. 

 

The updates were developed following a rigorous process that assessed benefits and harms, cost-effectiveness, equity, feasibility, and acceptability. Systematic reviews of quantitative and qualitative evidence informed the work of the Guideline Development Group (GDG), which updated existing recommendations and formulated new ones.

 

The guidelines reaffirm opioid agonist maintenance treatment (OAMT)—“defined as the administration of rigorously evaluated opioid agonists by accredited professionals within recognized medical practice to people with opioid dependence to achieve defined treatment goals.”