Substance use harm reduction & overdose prevention

Harm reduction

Source- NIDA

Connect individuals to overdose education, counseling, and referral to treatment for infectious diseases and substance use disorders.
Distribute opioid overdose reversal medications (e.g., naloxone) to individuals at risk of overdose, or to those who are likely to respond to an overdose.
Lessen harms associated with drug use and related behaviors that increase the risk of infectious diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, and bacterial and fungal infections.
Reduce infectious disease transmission among people who use drugs (including those who inject drugs) by equipping them with sterile supplies, accurate information and facilitating referrals to resources.
Reduce overdose deaths, promote linkages to care, facilitate co-location of services as part of a comprehensive, integrated approach.
Reduce stigma associated with substance use and co-occurring disorders.
Promote a philosophy of hope and healing ― by employing people with living and lived experience in leadership and in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of services. People with lived experience can also model for their peers what meaningful change can look like in their lives.
Build community and increase protective factors ― for people who use drugs and their families.

Source- SAMHSA

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. Here are some things to look for:

Unconsciousness, inability to awaken, or limp arms and legs
Slow or shallow breathing or difficulty breathing such as choking sounds or a gurgling/snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened
Pale skin and/or blue, pale, or purple lips and fingernails (especially in nails or lips)
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils” that don’t react to light
Faint heartbeat
Vomiting

Source- CDC and NIDA

Narcan (Naloxone): A drug that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose and can be lifesaving if administered in time.

It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.

Administer an overdose reversal medication like naloxone* (if available) and call 911.**
Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives

Source- CDC

Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids.
- It is available in all 50 states and over the counter – you don’t need a prescription.
- Most states have laws that may protect a person who is overdosing or the person who called for help from criminal penalties.
Naloxone is a safe medicine. It only reverses overdoses in people with opioids in their systems.
There are two FDA-approved formulations of naloxone: injectable and prepackaged nasal spray.
Police officers, emergency medical technicians, and first responders are trained on how to give naloxone.
In some states, friends and family members can be trained on how to give naloxone.
Naloxone only works in the body for 30 to 90 minutes. It is possible for a person to still experience the effects of an overdose after naloxone wears off or need multiple doses if a potent opioid is in a person’s system.
In some areas, you can get naloxone from pharmacies with or without a personal prescription from community-based distribution programs, or local health departments. The cost varies depending on where and how you get it as well as what type you get.

Source- NIDA and CDC

Access Point Colorado– provides Narcan, syringe-access, HIV/Hepatitis/STI testing and treatment, behavioral health services, education, etc…
- Located in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fort Collins, Greeley and Grand Junction

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention offers resources and locations for safe disposal of unused and expired medications at Take Meds Seriously .
The Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) Diversion Control Administration offers a way to dispose of medications near your zip code or city across the nation.

Ask, Listen, Learn– information for parents and teachers on how and when to talk to a child about alcohol and other substances*
DEA– Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent’s Guide to Substance Use Prevention**
SAMHSA- Check out these “Talk. They Hear You.”® campaign fact sheets and brochures to help you start—and keep up—the conversation about the dangers of drinking alcohol and using other drugs at a young age.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing– Getting Candid- Framing the Conversation Around Youth Substance Use Prevention

College drinking prevention*
Counter Drug: CO National Guard– Leverages military skills and resources to limit the effects of illicit drugs on Colorado communities. Provides prevention program and youth mentorship programs to develop drug free communities.