The 2025 American Heart Association guidelines place stronger emphasis on rapid naloxone use during suspected opioid overdose and support broader public access to naloxone. The guidelines include a new algorithm for opioid-related emergencies and recommend policies that allow lay rescuers to possess and use naloxone without fear of civil or criminal liability when acting in good faith. (newsroom.heart.org, cpr.heart.org)

The AHA also states that naloxone distribution programs can help increase access among lay rescuers and reduce opioid-related overdose deaths. In practical terms, that means communities, workplaces, schools, and public venues should think about naloxone the same way they think about other lifesaving emergency tools: it should be available, visible, and ready to use. (cpr.heart.org)

A related AHA emergency planning guide also says organizations should consider storing naloxone with AED equipment or emergency kits. So while “public access opioid kits” is not the formal guideline phrase, the direction is clearly toward broader naloxone availability in public emergency response planning. (cpr.heart.org)

References
American Heart Association. Updated CPR guidelines tackle choking response, opioid-related emergencies and a revised Chain of Survival. (newsroom.heart.org)

American Heart Association. Part 4: Systems of Care. (cpr.heart.org)

American Heart Association. Part 1: Executive Summary. (cpr.heart.org)

American Heart Association. Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Editable Template Guide. (cpr.heart.org)