Resources
16 Results (showing 1 - 10)
Results sorted by posted date (newest first)
Results sorted by posted date (newest first)
Posted 7/21/2023 (updated 3/28/2024)
Disparities in access to naloxone exist and organizations are working to remove some of these barriers by utilizing innovative methods such as vending machines to distribute the overdose medication. This provides life-saving medication in an accessible way to everyone, although laws vary state to state on the distribution of these tools. More information on naloxone vending machines can be found in these resources by the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) and The Network for Public Health Law.
Posted 4/28/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
With the proliferation of fentanyl and other adulterants in the national illicit drug supply, people who use drugs (PWUD) are at greater risk of overdose. Among more than 107,000 drug overdose deaths that occurred between July 2021–June 2022, 64% involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Lowering the high rates of overdose among PWUD is possible, as evidence-based practices exist to prevent and respond to overdose, including fentanyl test strips and advanced drug checking equipment. To inform health departments’ harm reduction programming, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing – with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – developed Enhancing Harm Reduction Services in Health Departments: Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Drug Checking Equipment, an educational brief grounded by real-world experience.
Posted 9/14/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA (FDA Foundation), in partnership with several operating divisions within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), convened two roundtable meetings to understand the perspectives of the harm reduction community, clinicians, and researchers about using fentanyl drug checking and screening as harm reduction and clinical strategies.
Posted 8/2/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
A new brief from the National Center for Health Statistics gives geographic detail on the latest increase in overdose death rates. Overall, urban counties had higher rates, but eight states – California, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Vermont, and Virginia – had rates that were higher in rural counties.
Posted 7/25/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
In 2019, the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington launched the “Meds First” program to provide onsite, low-barrier access to buprenorphine in partnership with six syringe services programs across WA State. A key component of the Meds First service model was the addition of care navigation to support client engagement and retention in OUD treatment.
Posted 7/12/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
Syringe services programs (SSP) are harm reduction programs that provide a wide range of services including, but not typically limited to, the provision of new, unused hypodermic needles and syringes and other injection drug use supplies, such as cookers, tourniquets, alcohol wipes, and sharps waste disposal containers, to people who inject drugs. In this summary, readers will find information with respect to SSPs for each state, including citations to applicable statutes and/or regulations, whether the state allows SSPs by statute, whether there are any municipal or county ordinances or regulations in place within the state, program components, miscellaneous provisions, and information on any pending legislation.
Posted 2/9/2022 (updated 3/26/2024)
Summary of innovation abstracts that were presented at the National Academy of Medicine’s recent Stigma of Addiction Summit.
Posted 12/16/2020 (updated 4/4/2024)
Drug overdose is a continuing epidemic that claimed the lives of over 67,000 Americans in 2018. Opioids, either alone or in combination with other substances, were responsible for approximately 70 percent of these deaths. Unfortunately, state laws and local rules can make it difficult for people who inject drugs to access lifesaving treatments and supplies, and variations in laws among states can create confusion between both people who inject drugs and people and organizations working to ensure that they have the supplies they need to protect themselves and others. This survey of state laws outlines how the legal landscape in each state may affect access to harm reduction services and supplies.
Posted 10/21/2020 (updated 3/29/2024)
This Data Brief provides additional information on drug overdose deaths involving cocaine by examining trends in rates by sex, age group, race and Hispanic origin, and by concurrent involvement of opioids from 2009 through 2018.
Posted 9/1/2020 (updated 3/29/2024)
To raise awareness of increasing overdose events and deaths related to cocaine and other stimulant use, and to provide guidance to health care providers on clinically managing and preventing harm from cocaine and stimulant use disorders.