Harm Reduction Issues
Overdose Prevention
Is someone overdosing right now?
Overdose deaths are preventable. We have the tools we need to stop people from dying from drugs.
Nearly 110,000 people have died due to drug overdose in the last year. That’s about one death every 5 minutes.
Harm Reduction offers evidence-based strategies that reduce the risk of dying from an overdose. We aim to support people who use drugs, and the people who love people who use drugs, with information to mitigate the risk of an overdose and to stop an overdose while it’s happening.
Be prepared to stop an overdose
You can reverse an overdose if you know what to do and you act in time. Whether you use drugs, love someone who does, or just care about the people in your community, it’s important to be prepared if you encounter someone who is overdosing.
Overdose Trends and Tools
Two factors have radically altered the landscape for people who use drugs – one for better, one for worse.
Fentanyl is responsible for more overdoses than any other opioid.
It’s important to know what fentanyl is and how you can reduce risks of an overdose.
Not enough people have access to naloxone.
High-dose opioids are prescribed 70x more often than naloxone. Make sure the people in your community have access to this life-saving medication.
People leaving jails and prisons are at increased risk of overdose.
Start an Overdose Prevention Program
Learn the basics of overdose prevention and the history of naloxone distribution in the United States.
Looking to start an overdose prevention and naloxone distribution program? Take a look at our implementation guide.