Overdose Prevention

Timely, high-quality data help public health officials and other decision-makers understand the extent of the problem, focus resources where they are needed most, particularly among populations disproportionately affected by overdose, and evaluate the success of overdose and substance use-related harm prevention efforts. Recognizing the importance of data, CDC is helping jurisdictions track overdose-related morbidity and mortality as well as use data to inform prevention activities.

States, tribes, local communities, and territories play an important role in preventing overdoses and substance use-related harms. They provide public health leadership; drive innovation; partner and collaborate; leverage surveillance to detect trends; and promote education, prevention (i.e., primary, secondary, and tertiary), and treatment. CDC works with jurisdictions to build their capacity in these and other areas to respond to the overdose crisis.

Providers and health systems are crucial in promoting safer opioid prescribing and more effective and equitable pain management among adults and youth as well as providing evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, particularly among disproportionately affected populations. In addition, health systems can implement quality improvement measures to track their efforts, integrate these measures into their electronic health records, and support care coordination. Private and public insurers and pharmacy benefit managers can help address the overdose crisis by addressing gaps in coverage, removing barriers to treatment for substance use disorders and pain treatments, and conducting drug utilization reviews. Employers can play a critical role in preventing overdose by offering comprehensive benefits and supporting employees affected by substance use disorders.

CDC continues to build multidisciplinary and diverse partnerships through public health and public safety collaborations at national, state, and local levels to strengthen efforts to reduce drug overdoses. These partnerships allow for effective and equitable implementation of programs and help advance promising strategies that address the overdose crisis, while helping to eliminate the longstanding impact of systemic inequities on overdose prevention. For example, public safety collaborations can reach individuals during critical times such as involvement with the criminal justice system. In addition, partnerships with community organizations can link individuals to substance use disorder treatment or reduce substance use-related harms. These opportunities can bridge knowledge, data, and service gaps that impact the success of community-wide overdose prevention actions.

CDC prioritizes raising awareness about all aspects of substance use including the risks of substance use and preventing associated harms among persons who use drugs, their families, and communities. In addition, CDC promotes evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and advances understanding that addiction is a chronic disease. CDC also works to reduce stigma because stigma prevents people from seeking help for substance use disorders. CDC reduces stigma by addressing misinformation, endorsing non-stigmatizing language, and promoting awareness of stigma’s impact including among populations disproportionately affected by substance use and overdose.