Policymakers & Community Leaders

Evidence-Based Strategies for Preventing Opioid Overdose: What’s Working in the United States

Evidence Ranking: Proven

This 2018 report from the Centers for Disease Control describes evidence-based strategies to prevent opioid overdose based on a review of the published evidence and consultation with subject matter experts. The report describes 10 strategies that could be implemented by public health officials, law enforcement, local organizations or other community leaders.

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Policymakers & Community Leaders

Huntington Quick Response Team

Evidence Ranking: Promising

Source: Prestera Center, Huntington Comprehensive Treatment Center, Recovery Point West Virginia, Huntington Police, Huntington Black Pastors Association, Cabell County Emergency Medical Services

These presentation slides describe the Huntington, West Virginia Quick Response Team (QRT) which is a partnership of substance use disorder treatment providers, law enforcement, first responders, and faith-based community members. The QRT’s mission is to follow up on individuals

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COVID-19

The COVID-19 public health emergency is particularly challenging for people in treatment for substance use disorder, people in recovery, and people who use drugs. This collection features educational resources that can be adapted for local settings, specific guidance on harm reduction, recovery housing and providing peer support services during the pandemic, and links to websites that provide high-quality information, data, and/or examples for local communities to adopt.

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Public Libraries and the Opioid Crisis

The Public Library Association and OCLC, a global library cooperative, produced these resources to help libraries develop polices and programs to address the opioid crisis in their communities. This collection consists of 3 reports:

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Arizona Naloxone Education and Distribution

Arizona has prioritized naloxone education and distribution to reduce opioid overdose deaths and has created documents and policies to assist in implementing their naloxone program. Links to the project website and copies of policy documents are available for download below.

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Arizona Enhanced Opioid Data Surveillance

Arizona’s Department of Health Services adopted an enhanced opioid data surveillance program that requires first responders and health care providers to report suspected opioid overdoses, suspected opioid overdose deaths, naloxone distribution, and naloxone administration through an electronic reporting system. Providers are also required to report suspected cases of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (neonatal abstinence syndrome). In addition, the state provides blood testing from suspected opioid overdoses by the public health laboratory and has a real time opioid data online dashboard. Links the project website, copies of the executive order and regulations, frequently asked questions, and implementation guides are available below.

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Policymakers & Community Leaders
Payers & Providers
Patients & Caregivers

New Mexico Statewide Standing Order for Registered Pharmacist Naloxone

Source: New Mexico Department of Health

The New Mexico statewide standing order authorizes registered pharmacists in the state to dispense naloxone to any person who uses an opioid, regardless of how the opioid is used or obtained, or to any person in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose.

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Policymakers & Community Leaders
Payers & Providers
Patients & Caregivers

Federal Grantees May Now Use Funds to Purchase Fentanyl Test Strips

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that federal funding may be used to purchase rapid fentanyl test strips (FTS). FTS can be used to determine if drugs have been cut or mixed with fentanyl which greatly increases the risk of overdose death.

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Policymakers & Community Leaders
Payers & Providers
Patients & Caregivers

Approval of Higher Dosage of Naloxone Nasal Spray to Treat Opioid Overdose

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

In April 2021, the FDA announced approval of an application for a produce to deliver an 8 milligram (mg) dose of naloxone; previous approvals had been granted for products delivering 2 mg and 4 mg of naloxone. The approval was granted to provide an additional option for the treatment of opioid overdose.

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Policymakers & Community Leaders
Patients & Caregivers

Prevent Overdose RI

Source: Prevent Overdose Rhode Island

The website for Prevent Overdose Rhode Island serves as a centralized source for information about Rhode Island’s multifaceted response to the drug overdose crisis. The site includes the state action plan, information about prevention, overdose rescue efforts including naloxone, treatment services, and recovery support services.

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