Harm Reduction: A Response to the Drug Overdose Crisis

Every day, on average, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. According to the CDC, drug overdoses killed more than 70,000 people in the United States in 2017, with 1,072 taking place in CT alone. The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis.

Connecticut is among the top ten states with the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths. Our state residents are more likely to die from an unintentional drug overdose than they are from a motor vehicle accident.

Join us for a discussion on the ongoing opioid crisis, the biology of addiction and how our community can reduce the risks of dying from drug overdoses, help get people into treatment and improve quality of life. We will be discussing the use of Narcan and Medicated Assisted Treatments for Recovery.

Free Narcan and training will be available immediately following the discussion.

Presented by the East Shore District Health Department.

Registration is encouraged to attend this IN PERSON event, but drop-ins welcome.