Opioid Epidemic

The CDC OD2A policy is a cooperative agreement that provides funding to 90 health departments to under OD2A programs to reduce drug overdoses and the impact of related harms. Go to this link to find more information about this program and related resources.

In 2023, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) naloxone nasal spray, otherwise known as Narcan, for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription use. This initiative made it easier to sell Narcan directly to consumers.

The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2021, eliminates the outdated DEA waiver requirement for prescribing buprenorphine, a proven medication for opioid use disorder, allowing more healthcare providers to offer treatment without bureaucratic barriers. It also mandates a national education campaign to reduce stigma and encourage integration of addiction care into routine medical practice, expanding access especially in underserved communities.

Syringe services programs are community prevention programs that provide a range of services that prevent spread of disease and protect communities.
They are proven to save lives, help those with substance use disorders get needed support, prevent overdose deaths, and reduce the impact of drug use on the community.

In this summary, readers will find information with respect to SSPs for each state, including citations to applicable statutes and/or regulations, whether the state allows SSPs by statute, whether there are any municipal or county ordinances or regulations in place within the state, program components, miscellaneous provisions, and information on any pending legislation.

Created in response to Resolutions 61/8 (2018) and 62/4 (2019) of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs supports the international community in implementing comprehensive responses to counter the global synthetic drug problem.

The UNODC-WHO “Stop Overdose Safely” (S-O-S) Initiative is a global effort led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the public health impact of opioid overdose, particularly in low and middle-income countries.