Opioid Prevention

Preventing Overdose

Facing stigma to reduce overdose

Stigma and discrimination targeting people who use drugs (PWUD) and people experiencing substance use disorders is significant and powerful. As the overdose epidemic persists and continues to devastate our communities, we must confront the long held belief that addiction is a sign of moral failing instead of the chronic medical condition it is proven to be. 

Harm reduction is a strategy and proven public health approach that can reduce the number of people we lose to overdose. It is a belief system and a set of practical strategies that are available to all of us, if we choose to use them. This site contains many harm reduction resources to help you and your community create a new path forward when it comes to addressing substance use and preventing overdose. 

• What is harm reduction and why is it an important tool to save lives? Watch this video: supportharmreduction.org/harm_reduction/

• Read about stigma and discrimination: Stigma and Discrimination | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov)

• Language guide for talking about overdose and substance use disorder: Words Matter: Preferred Language for Talking About Addiction | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov)

• Printable PDF of language guide: Words Matter (asam.org)

• Want to learn more? Harm reduction strategies that reduce risk: 

• Safer Use Supplies: supportharmreduction.org/pdf_viewer/Safer Use Supplies Interventions_OPP_OnePager_pdf.pdf

• Overdose Prevention Centers:

• supportharmreduction.org/pdf_viewer/Overdose Prevention Centers_OPP_OnePager_Intervention.pdf

• Drug Checking Supplies: 

• Find a resource

When Opioids are prescribed to you or someone you care about

When Opioids are prescribed to you and you use them as prescribed it is important to consider some health and safety strategies. You should talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have, especially if you have experienced opioid dependence in the past or have other substance use concerns. Storage and disposal should also be considered, as it is very common to have leftover prescription opioids after a surgery or other medical event. 

• How to talk to your doctor if you are prescribed opioids 

• What to Ask Your Doctor Before Taking Opioids | FDA

• Safe storage and disposal of opioids and other prescriptions

• Prescription Drugs/Medication: Proper Use, Storage and Disposal (mt.gov)

• Prescription Drug Dropbox Locations (mt.gov)

If you use Opioids or other substances not prescribed to you we care about you and your wellbeing. Created by and for People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), these are sites about safer use strategies and support: 

• Safer drug use and the principles of harm reduction Safer Drug Use Resources | National Harm Reduction Coalition

• Fentanyl use and overdose prevention tips Fentanyl Use and Overdose Prevention Tips - National Harm Reduction Coalition 

• Xylazine - Drug Specific Page — NEXT Distro

• Printable Xylazine fact sheet Xylazine one-pager draft (harmreduction.org)

• Stimulants and overamping Drug Specific Page — NEXT Distro

• Order free Fentanyl Test Strips Here 

• State of Montana Administering and Distributing Naloxone (mt.gov)

• Contact your region Opioid Education and Naloxone Distribution Program to receive test strips (link to contact info for OENDP)

• Syringe Service Programs are safe places to connect to supplies, testing and support. Find an SSP near you here 

• Montana Needle Exchanges & Harm Reduction Programs (detoxlocal.com)   

• Printable SSP contact information Christa’s resource for MT specific SSP