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United in Prevention: A Call to Action on Overdose Safety Planning

Author: Jorge Petit, MD, Strategy and Development Advisor

International Overdose Awareness Day, observed annually on August 31, serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating impact of drug overdoses globally. This day memorializes those lost to overdose and underscores the need for a concerted global effort to prevent such tragedies through proactive education and intervention. Zero Overdose spearheads this mission, utilizing overdose risk screening and comprehensive safety planning to safeguard vulnerable populations.

The overdose epidemic, marked by hundreds of thousands of lives lost annually worldwide, poses one of the most dire public health crises of our era. In the United States, provisional data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reports an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in 2023 alone. These losses have notably decreased U.S. life expectancy, underscoring the urgent need for effective prevention strategies. The crisis cuts across all demographics, impacting individuals, families, and entire communities, and is exacerbated by the growing prevalence of potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Overdose risk screening is a vital preventative measure designed to identify high-risk individuals and intervene before a crisis occurs. Health professionals across various settings are increasingly implementing screening tools ranging from simple questionnaires during routine visits to comprehensive assessments in substance use treatment programs. Such screenings are crucial to ensure no at-risk individual is overlooked.

The Zero Overdose Safety Plan©

Zero Overdose has developed a comprehensive safety plan structured to mitigate overdose risks through several strategic steps:

1. Identifying Risk Factors: Acknowledging personal risks associated with substance use habits, methods, and environmental conditions.

2. Actionable Steps for Risk Reduction: Modifying substance use methods and employing harm reduction techniques such as naloxone use.

3. Regular Wellness Practices: These practices bolster physical and mental health, supporting overall recovery and stability.

4. Building a Support Network: Establishing connections with trusted individuals and professionals who can offer support during emergencies or challenging times.

5. Maintaining Motivation and Engagement: Focusing on personal reasons for staying alive and engaged in recovery processes.

6. Committing to Ongoing Risk Reduction: Encouraging ongoing engagement with health and safety protocols to adapt to changing personal circumstances.

Call to Action

This International Overdose Awareness Day, we urge you to take proactive steps in understanding and combating the overdose epidemic:

  • Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about overdose risk factors and the life-saving role of naloxone. Share this knowledge within your community.
  • Participate in Training: Zero Overdose offers invaluable training sessions on overdose prevention, naloxone use, and safety planning.
  • Support Efforts Locally and Globally: Engage with organizations that advocate for overdose prevention. Your involvement can make a significant difference.

Stakeholder Engagement

Healthcare Providers: Integrate overdose risk screenings into routine assessments to identify at-risk individuals early. Training in developing and implementing personalized safety plans is also crucial.

Policy Makers: Advocate for policies that enhance public health surveillance, make naloxone widely available, and support community-based prevention programs.

Community Organizations: Collaborate with health agencies to provide educational programs and host training sessions to reduce the stigma around drug use and promote recovery.

Individuals and Families: Proactively develop overdose safety plans and participate in community workshops to enhance your understanding and ability to act effectively.

Educators and Schools: Implement a curriculum that addresses substance use, the science of addiction, and mental health to equip students with the knowledge to make informed decisions.

Employers: Foster a supportive work environment where employees feel safe to discuss substance use issues and access help. Training in overdose recognition and naloxone administration can also be vital.

Health Insurance Plans: Ensure your policies cover comprehensive services for substance use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment and overdose prevention education.

As we observe International Overdose Awareness Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to preventing overdose deaths through informed action and robust community engagement. By enhancing our efforts in risk screening and implementing comprehensive safety plans, we can protect those most vulnerable and strive for a world where no life is lost to overdose.

Resources

For further information on engaging with Zero Overdose Safety Planning, please visit our website at Zero Overdose. Here, you’ll find additional resources, upcoming training sessions, and support systems tailored to assist individuals and communities at risk.

United in Prevention: Marking International Overdose Awareness Day with A Call to Action on Overdose Safety Planning

International Overdose Awareness Day, observed annually on August 31st, serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of drug overdoses worldwide. This day not only memorializes those who have lost their lives but also reinforces the need for a global commitment to prevent these tragedies through education and proactive intervention. Zero Overdose stands at the forefront of this mission, leveraging overdose risk screening and comprehensive safety planning to safeguard vulnerable populations and prevent overdose events and deaths. 

Understanding the Overdose Crisis

The overdose epidemic represents one of the most pressing public health crises of our time. Globally, hundreds of thousands of lives are lost each year to overdoses, with opioids accounting for a significant portion of these deaths. In the United States, provisional data from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2023. The impact of overdose deaths in the US has led to a reduction in US life expectancy by 0.67 years with a loss of 3.1 million years of life or 38 life years lost per individual death. Furthermore, we know that for every 1 fatal overdose, there were approximately 10 non-fatal overdoses in 2020. Nationally, an estimated 321,566 children in the United States lost a parent to drug overdose from 2011 to 2021.

This crisis affects individuals from all walks of life, transcending age, race, and socio-economic status—as well as families and communities—necessitating a nuanced approach to prevention. The growing prevalence of fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids has further exacerbated the risks, making the need for effective screening and safety measures more critical than ever.

Overdose events are costly in time and resources for first responders and communities. The ability to impact the number of overdose events could have a dramatic impact on the community as well as the lives of the individuals at risk.

The Role of Overdose Risk Screening

Overdose risk screening is a preventative tool designed to identify individuals at high risk of overdose and intervene before an incident occurs. This process involves assessing a person’s drug use patterns, co-occurring health conditions, and social determinants of health that may contribute to their risk level.

Healthcare providers, from emergency departments to primary care and behavioral health settings, are increasingly implementing screening tools. These tools vary from simple questionnaires that can be administered during routine visits to more comprehensive assessments during substance use treatment programs. The goal is to integrate these screenings into regular health care practices to ensure that no at-risk individual slips through the cracks.

Traditional harm reduction strategies, such as naloxone distribution and supervised injection facilities, are crucial but reactive, addressing overdoses after they occur. Overdose Safety Planning is a personalized strategy crafted to support individuals at risk of overdose. It includes creating a plan that addresses how to prevent overdose if they continue to use substances and how to seek help.

The Zero Overdose Safety Plan© is a comprehensive, structured approach designed to mitigate the risk of accidental overdoses. 

Step 1 involves identifying personal risk factors such as substance use habits, methods, and environmental factors. Step 2 outlines actionable steps to reduce risks, such as modifying substance use methods and leveraging harm reduction techniques like using naloxone. Step 3 emphasizes regular wellness practices that bolster physical and mental health, thereby supporting overall recovery and stability. Step 4 and Step 5 are about creating a support network that includes trusted individuals and professionals who can be contacted in emergencies or during challenging times. This network ensures that the person has access to immediate help when needed. Step 6 focuses on personal motivation for staying alive and engaged in recovery, serving as a powerful reminder of the value of life and personal goals. Lastly, Step 7 encourages commitment to a specific next step to further reduce overdose risks, reinforcing proactive engagement in one’s health and safety. Together, these steps form a robust framework that not only addresses immediate risks but also promotes a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. These plans are not static; they evolve as individuals’ circumstances change, ensuring adaptability and relevance to their current needs.

Call To Action:

Awareness is the first step towards change. This International Overdose Awareness Day, we encourage you to engage with the issue of drug overdose actively:

– Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the risk factors of overdoses and the critical role of naloxone. Share this knowledge with your community.

– Participate in Training: Zero Overdose offers training sessions on overdose prevention, naloxone use, and safety planning. These sessions are invaluable for those looking to make a difference.

– Support Local and Global Efforts: Contribute to or volunteer for organizations that work towards overdose prevention. Your support can make a real difference.

Resources

For more information on how to get involved in Zero Overdose Safety Planning©, please visit Zero Overdose. Here, you’ll find resources, upcoming training sessions, and support systems tailored to assist individuals and communities at risk.

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Project Director

Kelly Samuelson, LADC, MSW Candidate

Kelly Samuelson is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) candidate with extensive experience in substance use disorder treatment, trauma-informed care, and program development. She specializes in delivering evidence-based training programs, facilitating workshops, and collaborating with healthcare and community organizations to improve care systems and enhance service delivery.

In addition to her clinical work, Kelly plays a key role in writing and managing grants, securing funding for national, state, and local initiatives focused on prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. Her expertise includes curriculum development, outreach leadership, and providing ongoing support to ensure sustainable, positive outcomes for diverse populations. Kelly has completed specialized training in gambling disorder and holds a Certified Prevention Professional credential, broadening her impact across different areas of behavioral health.

Kelly’s professional goals include applying a trauma-informed, holistic approach to address the interconnectedness of lifestyle factors—such as sleep, nutrition, and movement—with mental health and overall wellness. In her social work practice, she envisions empowering individuals through education, advocating for access to essential resources, and integrating behavioral interventions that promote long-term well-being. By collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and addressing social determinants of health, she aims to create comprehensive care strategies that improve individual outcomes and contribute to healthier communities.

Trainer

Laura Leone, DSW, MSSW, LMSW

Dr. Laura Leone is a consultant who has worked in the behavioral and integrated health field for over 25 years, providing organizational leadership and direct services for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, in addition to presenting, publishing, training, and consulting, nationally. Dr. Leone has extensive subject matter expertise in bidirectional integration; evidence-based practices; mental health; organizational change and systems improvement; service delivery for a variety of different communities, settings, and clinic types; substance use; suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention; trauma-informed, resilience-oriented, and equity-focused care and approaches; workforce development; and other health and wellness areas. She obtained her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California, her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, and her social work licensure from the State of New York.

Training Coordinator

Alexx Carswell

Hi, I’m Alexxandria Carswell. I am a multifaceted administrative assistant with a dash of media, marketing, and a whole lot of creativity! I thrive on making things run smoothly and efficiently. I’ve been a coordinator in most of my previous roles, all while also owning my own Home Staging business. With experience in social media, content writing, and marketing, I do my best to bring energy and enthusiasm to everything I do.

Chief Technology Officer

Angel Carswell, LISW

Angel is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with over a decade of experience in mental health services, specializing in telehealth. With a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, she is skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) for treating various mental health and substance use disorders. Angel excels in assessments, diagnoses, and safety planning, particularly in high-risk situations. She has worked with diverse populations, including adolescents, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of domestic violence. In addition to her clinical expertise, Angelique has led projects to improve healthcare operations and is pursuing a Project Management Professional certification.

Trainer

Jussara Little

Jussara has a 10-year professional working history in community nutrition and public health. She has led the screen-and-intervene initiative for food insecurity at the University of Oklahoma Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) HIV Clinic that served 1600 patients annually, many struggling with substance misuse, and now leads the same effort for the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center. Jussara’s passion for working with underserved communities has led her to develop programs, services and trainings to improve the quality of life for medically complex individuals in marginalized populations and underserved communities.

Administrative Assistant

Blayne Bonfoco

Blayne Bonfoco has a variety of experience in multiple industries, spanning a career of almost 30 years. Throughout her career, Blayne has explored Tourism, Hospitality, Wine Country, Food and Beverage, Fitness, Wellness, Retail, Service, and most recently Personal Development and Education.

At first, a step into Hospitality and tourism landed Blayne in Niagara Falls, as Concierge at a Renaissance hotel; there, she was able to apply her passion for languages, improving her French and Japanese communication skills with clients, while simultaneously serving people who had questions about the local area.

After several seasons at Niagara Falls, Niagara Wine Country called, as this was where she grew up; Blayne transitioned into a role at a local winery in the Retail shop, which soon turned into taking on a lead role in developing the Home Delivery program and growing that to almost 1000 participants monthly over 6 years. She continued to use her language skills to serve the winery and thrived in the team environment.

After a decision with her husband to open their own business, Blayne worked at a local women’s only fitness facility to gain experience before investing and opening one herself. Subsequently, Blayne and her husband opened a Martial Arts Academy, which they successfully operated for 15 years. Blayne’s focus on personal development lead her to dedicate her energy towards supporting, growing and serving their various programs. Her success in positively impacting her students fuelled her desire to expand her professional experience and motivated her to pursue a path with the Canadian National Kickboxing team, serving as Assistant Coach then Head Coach for six years.

Blayne is passionate about teamwork and the pursuit of growth, believing that every person should be encouraged and respected to thrive in their lives.

In 2020, Blayne and her husband closed their Martial Arts Programs and relocated to Belize with their first-born son; this change in location has provided her and her family with time to experience life in new ways while raising their son.

Blayne’s recent entry into the non-for-profit sector, in particular working in addition support and rehabilitation, is an inspiring one for her; she is passionate about her support role with Zero Overdose, and is looking forward to helping the entire team make a difference in addiction prevention.

Trainer

Leah Harris,
MA

Leah Harris, M.A. possesses over two decades of experience writing, speaking, and training on trauma, mental health, addiction, harm reduction, suicide prevention, and resilience. Leah’s work is heavily informed by her lived experiences, and she is especially passionate about the integration of peer support, trauma-informed care, and person-centered approaches into all aspects of public health, human services, educational settings, and community programs. She has provided training, curriculum development, and technical assistance with the National Empowerment Center, SAMHSA’s National Center for Trauma Informed Care (NCTIC), and the National Association for State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD).

Consulting with the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, Leah developed a pilot curriculum for suicide attempt survivors to share their stories using an effective public health framework, and helped author The Way Forward: Pathways to Hope, Recovery, and Wellness with Insights from Lived Experience for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. She is a faculty member with the Zero Suicide Institute and the Institute for Development of Human Arts, and is thrilled to join the Zero Overdose team as a trainer.

Strategy and Development Advisor

Jorge Petit,
MD

Board-certified psychiatrist with over three decades in the public healthcare sector. Throughout my journey, I have steered progressively intricate systems of care, orchestrating the achievement of enduring and systemic enhancements in essential service accessibility and provision. I am inherently results-oriented, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, and bring a bilingual and bicultural dimension to my leadership. My experience includes navigating and guiding organizational expansion and transformation, consistently yielding positive outcomes.

A hallmark of my expertise lies in developing and implementing high-caliber, quality-driven programs that crystallize into a cohesive, person-centric model of care, deeply embedded within the community fabric. I stand as testament to my ability to produce outcomes that transcend the boundaries of conventional care, fostering an environment where integration is paramount and the individual is at the heart of every endeavor.