Overdose Prevention

As the leading membership organization representing local health departments (LHDs), NACCHO recognizes drug overdose to be a significant public health concern, as well as the critical role that local health departments play in response to such a national emergency. NACCHO supports local health departments in their efforts to respond to the drug crisis through the implementation of evidence-based policies and programs from the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder and its related health consequences.

This short how-to guide instructs LHDs on how to use NACCHO's opioid-focused planning templates.

This resource lists strategies - or "plays" - that communities can replicate or adapt in real-time.

Resource to help address the opioid epidemic on a local level.

NACCHO is engaged in opioid prevention and response efforts in many counties and cities.

Harm Reduction and Academic Detailing

Key Messages

Purpose and Intended Use

The harm reduction and primary care key messages are intended to be guiding points to make when meeting with providers during detailing sessions. They can and should be adapted, as needed, to best meet the needs of the community. For example, detailing visits are more effective when the detailer can clearly highlight and identify relevant data (e.g., local or state overdose data, HIV and Hep C transmission rates, etc.), guidelines (e.g. CDC opioid prescribing or tapering guidelines), and resources (e.g. a list of community organizations offering harm reduction services).

Academic Detailing Aid

Purpose and Intended Use

Similar to the key messages the detailing aid can and should be adapted based on the needs of the community and providers receiving the detailing. This can be used as a comprehensive resource to leave with primary care providers after detailing sessions, or individual sections can be provided as standalone resources to support providers on specific topics that arise during the sessions. Resources included in this aid are:

  • Background on the Scope of the Overdose Crisis
  • The Overlap between Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care
  • Driving Factors of Substance Use and the Socio-Ecological Model
  • Disproportionately Affected Populations
  • Conversations Starters for Providers
  • Impact and Outcomes of Harm Reduction Strategies
  • Resources/Additional Information

NACCHO has several policy statements related to the Opioid Epidemic and its infectious disease consequences:

NACCHO also provides letters to Congress and the administration to influence policy in order to best support local health departments' response to the opioid epidemic, and advocates for sufficient funding to combat the opioid epidemic.


Legislative Actions

In March 2018, Michael E. Kilkenny, MD, MS Physician Director, Cabell-Huntington (WV) Health Department testified before the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee in a hearing "Combating the Opioid Crisis: Prevention and Public Health Solutions." Watch the full video to see Dr. Kilkenny describe how his health department has successfully led community efforts to combat the dual epidemics of opioid misuse and infectious diseases associated with opioid addiction, or read NACCHO's recap of the hearing on Twitter.

On November 13, 2017, NACCHO hosted a Congressional briefing "Tackling the Opioid Epidemic and its Hidden Casualties: Local Health Departments on the Frontlines" with cosponsors National Association of Counties and U.S. Conference of Mayors, with panelists that represented a range of local stakeholders in the fight against opioid use and abuse.

If you have a resource you’d like to share, questions to ask, or you’d like to learn more and be part of the conversation around local response to the opioid epidemic, please complete the following form.

Use this space to ask questions or make suggestions to the NACCHO team.
If you have a resource that you'd like to share, you can upload it here.

Overdose Prevention Blog

A person reads overdose prevention information
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic

Funding Announcement: 2023-2024 Harm Reduction and...

We are excited to release the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2023-2024...

Oct 02, 2023 | Bailey McInnes

Funding Announcement: 2023-2024 Harm Reduction and...

I Stock 1454585686
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic

Request for Application: Overdose Response Strategy...

We are excited to release the Request for Applications (RFA) for ORS Pilot...

Jul 31, 2023 | Bailey McInnes

Request for Application: Overdose Response Strategy...

Opportunity
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Communications & Public Relations
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic
  • Opportunity

Request for Proposals: Consultant to Develop...

Applications due July 19.

Jun 20, 2023 | Bailey McInnes

Request for Proposals: Consultant to Develop...

I Stock 1202344480 1
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic

The National Association of County and City Health...

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), along...

Jan 23, 2023

The National Association of County and City Health...

I Stock 1146914100
  • Community Health
  • COVID-19
  • Injury and Violence Prevention
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic

New Release: 2021 Overdose Prevention and Response...

This new NACCHO report summarizes data collected in Summer 2021 from a...

Dec 14, 2022 | Francis Higgins

New Release: 2021 Overdose Prevention and Response...

Mentorship illustration
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Injury and Violence Prevention
  • Leadership
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic

RFP: Reducing Overdose through Community Approaches...

NACCHO is seeking consultants to develop and facilitate one or more workshop...

Nov 30, 2022 | Camille Adams

RFP: Reducing Overdose through Community Approaches...

Screenshot 2022 10 20 135751
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic

NACCHO Funds Free Technical Assistance for Fire and EMS...

Fire and EMS agencies interested in joining a community of individuals...

Nov 16, 2022 | Lane Davis

NACCHO Funds Free Technical Assistance for Fire and EMS...

Putting the pieces together
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic
  • Opportunity
  • Substance Use Disorder

Funding Opportunity: Harm Reduction and Academic...

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NACCHO...

Oct 03, 2022 | Bailey McInnes

Funding Opportunity: Harm Reduction and Academic...

Pexels sora shimazaki 5668838
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemic
  • Substance Use Disorder

Funding Opportunity: Overdose Response Strategy (ORS)...

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),...

Sep 01, 2022

Funding Opportunity: Overdose Response Strategy (ORS)...

Community Health Program

Emily Winkelstein

Director, Overdose Prevention

JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / email hidden; JavaScript is required

Community Health Program

Anistia Rugama

Lead Analyst, OD Prevention

JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / email hidden; JavaScript is required

Community Health Program

Francis Higgins

Senior Program Analyst, Overdose Prevention

JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / email hidden; JavaScript is required

Community Health Program

Audrey Eisemann

Senior Program Analyst, Overdose, Injury, and Violence Prevention

JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / email hidden; JavaScript is required

Community Health Program

Lane Davis

Senior Program Analyst, Overdose Prevention

JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / email hidden; JavaScript is required

Community Health Program

Madeline Masog

Program Analyst, Overdose Prevention

JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / email hidden; JavaScript is required

Community Health Program

Bailey McInnes

Program Analyst, Overdose Prevention

JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / email hidden; JavaScript is required

Back to Top