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Topic: Overdose Prevention & Reversal

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Benzimidazole-Opioids (Nitazenes)

The DEA’s report on benzimidazole-opioids (Nitazenes) highlights the rising abuse of synthetic opioids from this structural class, which have been linked to numerous toxicology cases and deaths since 2019. These substances, which act as mu-opioid receptor agonists, pose significant public health risks due to their potency and lack of medical use in the United States. Their presence in the illicit drug market underscores the ongoing opioid epidemic and the dangers of emerging synthetic drugs.

Good Samaritan Fatal Overdose Prevention and Drug-induced Homicide: Summary of State Laws

Research indicates that there is often a reluctance among those witnessing an overdose to summon emergency assistance from law enforcement or other first responders out of fear of arrest for drug possession or other charges. In an effort to reduce this fear and to encourage overdose witnesses to seek help, state policymakers developed Good Samaritan laws specific to drug overdoses. The purpose of these laws is to prioritize the overdose victim’s safety over arresting drug users by granting limited protection from criminal liability to persons seeking medical assistance and, in most cases, to the overdose victim. This document (1) provides a singular resource for each jurisdiction’s laws; (2) allows for a comparison of these laws between jurisdictions; and (3) identifies and highlights interesting provisions.

Overdose Education and Harm Reduction

This self-paced, online course covers the following learning objectives: Describe basic trends in opioid overdose death rates at the national and local level, Identify factors that elevate patients’/clients’ risk for opioid overdose, Understand how overdose education/naloxone distribution programs impact health outcomes, Develop a preliminary plan for integrating overdose education into existing services, Learn how to recognize and respond in the case of an overdose and how to find treatment resources within the community

Opioid Epidemic Response: Employer Toolkit

Substance use and substance use disorder affects employees, workplaces, families, and communities. Employers have the opportunity to identify early signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder, and help connect employees to treatment and recovery supports. This toolkit developed by the Minnesota Department of Health includes five steps to prevent and address substance use disorder within your workplace.

Be Prepared – (Poster)

This poster illustrates being prepared for an overdose emergency by having an opioid overdose reversal medication on-hand, just like people commonly have a fire extinguisher on-hand for a fire emergency. 

Opioid Trifold Brochures

Opioid Information Brochures for Providers or Consumers help educate on opioids and opioid use, including effects of opioid use, pregnancy and opioid use, medications for opioid use including opioid overdose reversal medications, and treatment options for persons using opioids.

What is Naloxone?

This short animation from SAMHSA depicts how Naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversal medication, works in the body.

Xylazine Basics: Overdose Prevention, Harm Reduction, and Wound Care

This document provides information on xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer used as an additive in illicit drug supplies, notably in combination with heroin and fentanyl. It discusses the effects of xylazine use, including sedation and potential risks such as hypotension and bradycardia. The document also emphasizes harm reduction interventions for individuals who may encounter xylazine in the drug supply, including the use of naloxone for responding to overdoses and the importance of wound identification and treatment.

Linkage to Care to Prevent Overdose: Strategies from the Field

To support linkage to care efforts for people at risk of overdose, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developed Overdose Response and Linkage to Care: A Roadmap for Health Departments, a technical assistance tool informed by real-world experience. Attendees of this webinar will hear directly from health department staff implementing a variety of these linkage to care strategies to prevent overdose. These strategies can be adapted and replicated to meet the needs of communities across the country.

Establishing Peer Support Services for Overdose Response: A Toolkit for Health Departments

Peer support services (PSS) are a valuable component of a growing number of overdose response and linkage to care initiatives that can be implemented and supported by local and state health departments. This toolkit is for local and state health departments and community partners who are exploring opportunities to implement or enhance PSS within overdose response and linkage to care initiatives. This toolkit provides information, resources, tools, actionable steps and real-world examples informed by the latest research, subject matter experts and experiences from diverse settings across the country.

Tools for Overdose Prevention

To help public health practitioners prevent overdose, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developed these resources and tools for overdose prevention.

Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act of 2015

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act of 2015 (Senate Bill 459, Chapter 26, Statutes of Nevada 2015 NRS 453C.120) created various provisions addressing the opiate overdose epidemic that continues to claim over 300 lives per year in Nevada. The law prevents punitive actions against health professionals and any person who administers naloxone or calls 911 to assist someone who may be overdosing on opiates. It also provides immunity to persons seeking medical treatment for an opioid overdose for themselves or someone else. Learn more about the Good Samaritan Law.

Never Use Alone

Toll-free national overdose prevention, detection, life-saving crisis response and medical intervention services for people who use drugs while alone. Never Use Alone’s peer operators are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Heroin, Fentanyl, & Other Opioids: A Comprehensive Resource for Families with a Teen or Young Adult Struggling with Opioid Use

Fueled by drugs like heroin, fentanyl and the misuse of prescription pain pills, the opioid epidemic in our country has impacted countless families. To help address this, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids created a new eBook — Heroin, Fentanyl & Other Opioids: A Comprehensive Resource for Families with a Teen or Young Adult Struggling with Opioid Use. Parents and families need to be prepared with the knowledge and skills to identify opioids, spot early use and take action effectively.

Engaging Community Coalitions to Decrease Opioid Overdose Deaths Practice Guide 2023

This guide was developed in recognition of the need to center community engagement throughout the efforts to address the opioid overdose crisis. This guide exists to help communities decrease opioid overdose deaths; it includes tools and real-world examples that can be used to build and strengthen community coalitions that work to reduce opioid overdose deaths.

The Mobile Emergency Recovery Intervention Trial (MERIT)

The Mobile Emergency Recovery Intervention Trial (MERIT) is a grant-funded research study that is evaluating the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of an ER-based intervention for opioid overdose patients treated in Nevada’s Emergency Departments (EDs). The research is currently ongoing.

Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit

This toolkit provides guidance to a wide range of individuals on preventing and responding to an overdose. The toolkit also emphasizes that harm reduction and access to treatment are essential aspects of overdose prevention.

Stop Overdose

To address the increasing number of overdose deaths related to both prescription opioids and illicit drugs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a website to educate people who use drugs about the dangers of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, the risks and consequences of mixing drugs, the lifesaving power of naloxone, and the importance of reducing stigma around recovery and treatment options.