Lorain County, Ohio has been hit hard by the opioid crisis but a new Narcan distribution program is seeking to change that, reports say. Volunteers are quietly dispersing to neighborhoods and communities throughout the county to hand out overdose reversal kits free of charge.

Fighting Stigmas, Saving Lives

Natalie Karn, a community health nursing supervisor from Lorain County Public Health, recently shed light on Lorain County’s naloxone distribution outreaches. 

Groups of volunteers in purple shirts have been going door to door throughout the autumn, enthusiastically asking residents in Ohio’s neighborhoods whether they would like to add Narcan (naloxone’s brand name) to their first aid kits. While some residents are reluctant, many are inquisitive and open, some even asking for extra doses to prepare to help their neighbors.

Narcan is a medication with the ability to help save the life of someone who has suffered an opioid overdose. The naloxone distribution program is part of Ohio’s Project DAWN. Named after Leslie Dawn Cooper, an Ohio woman who lost her life to an accidental overdose in 2009.

Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Narcan) is a statewide initiative to make Narcan as accessible as possible to all Ohioans. 

Proponents say the program is also making positive social impacts, as more residents report a willingness to have Narcan ready to use, even to save the lives of complete strangers. Part of what’s driving this shift in the public’s attitude toward naloxone is the compounding effect of more testimonies of ordinary folks using the medication to save lives.

Project DAWN’s Impact in Lorain County

In 2012, Lorain County became the first of the 83 Ohio counties to adopt the program, and has since made it possible for residents to get Narcan from police officers, churches, apartment buildings, and now, on delivery. 

This initiative has shown massive success in the county, with the official count of lives saved by ordinary residents being over 600.

The county has seen a remarkable 55% decline in overdose deaths over a three year period, far in excess of Ohio’s average decline of 17%. Officials say that the lower statewide rate of decline may stem from relatively slow progress in making the lifesaving drug more accessible in rural counties.

Potential Hindrances to Project DAWN

Unfortunately, not everyone has disabused themselves of the stigma towards Narcan and addiction more broadly. Restrictions on naloxone access and distribution remain in effect in some parts of the state.

In some areas, this includes prohibiting law enforcement officers from carrying Narcan and banning the medication’s presence at public libraries, a common point of access throughout the US. 

These factors, combined with a potential $3 million cut looming for Ohio’s harm reduction budget, are some of the obstacles Project DAWN currently faces.

Narcan’s Place in the Recovery Process

Despite the challenges, Karn and her team are pressing on with the program. They now have 77 distribution partners in Lorain County, including Family Planning Services, where a free harm reduction vending machine now dispenses Narcan. 

As a part of the campaign, the team is also emphasizing that Narcan is an emergency medication that’s meant to save a person’s life if they overdose. Further recovery requires comprehensive treatment as well as systemic changes in a person’s life to support their physical, emotional, social and financial wellbeing.

Take the First Step

If you’re looking to break free of the grasp of opioid addiction, there is hope. Find a qualified addiction recovery specialist, connect with NA meetings near you or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) for immediate confidential support.

The crisis of teen fentanyl use is unfortunately nothing new. During the pandemic, adolescent overdose events more than doubled. But the fight to save kids’ lives and their futures is expanding and America’s public schools are leading the way. 

Confronting Teen Fentanyl Use 

Although the number of youth ages 12 to 17 with a past-year substance use disorder decreased in the years between 2021 and 2024, the percentage of those with opioid use disorder remained steady during the same time. Fewer than a third of these young people report getting treatment. 

To combat this, many schools are utilizing protocols to address the looming fentanyl crisis. Additionally, 7 out of 10 adolescents mentioned that they received substance use disorder and prevention education at their school.

Further, over 480,000 students received treatment for substance abuse at their schools in 2023. This data illustrates how the education system can play a pivotal role in providing treatment. 

Reading, Writing, and Recovery

The fight against teen opioid addiction isn’t just taking place in homes, communities, and healthcare clinics. Now more than ever addiction prevention and recovery are being incorporated in the curricula of America’s schools. Public schools are playing a key role in mitigating drug overdose risks, particularly those related to fentanyl. 

Among the public schools providing addiction education during the 2024-2025 school year, almost 3 out of 4 administrators mentioned that some or all their staff were trained in recognizing an overdose situation. 

Of these, 30% declared all teachers at their schools were trained, and 44% reported that some of the staff had training. Still, 16% reported that no staff members were trained, showing there is still work to be done. 

Preventing Opioid Overdose in Schools 

Much of the fentanyl education is in classroom settings, so administrators must understand how crucial it is for staff members to receive overdose training. Several states even allow schools to store naloxone to intercept an opioid overdose; however, not all school districts are on board. 

The growing number of schools taking a stand shows how data can change the overdose landscape. The hope is that more will follow and the overdose rates among young people will continue to decline.

Get Help for Teen Opioid or Fentanyl Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, help is available.

Explore Narcotics Anonymous meetings near you or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to connect with a qualified treatment provider. Low cost and accessible support is availbe through NA and local recovery programs.

Charleston County Public Schools has just received $500K in opioid recovery grants to mitigate the impact of the addiction crisis on the district’s students. The funds were awarded by The Public School Districts’ Opioid Recovery Trust (PSDORT) and will be used to support opioid addiction education and prevention in district schools. 

Charleston County is one of 39 public school districts nationwide to receive the award, according to reports. 

The Impact of Opioids on Charleston County Students

The effects of the opioid crisis reach far and wide. It’s not just something dealt with in counseling sessions or addiction treatment centers. While most people understand opioid use affects life at home, what most of us never see is the impact on children at school. 

Children in Charleston County who are victims of the opioid crisis will be getting more support thanks to the nearly half million dollar grant. More than 200 school districts across the country applied for funding, but fewer than 40 received grants. It’s a big win for Charleston County students and the entire state of South Carolina.

Expanding Substance Use Prevention Efforts

The current substance use prevention programs will get a makeover, including updated classroom materials and teacher training. Teachers will attend opioid crisis specific training to learn how to work with students who are impacted by addiction, including those who have experienced drug use within the home or family. 

Students at every grade level are at risk and the expanded programs will include even more grade appropriate activities and resources. There’s nothing like real life stories to inspire learning and guest speakers will be invited to talk about their personal recovery experiences. 

Focused Care for Vulnerable Learners

You’ve seen the news stories but you likely don’t realize that behind every opioid crisis statistic is a child trying to find their footing. Children are the most vulnerable victims of this crisis, with many losing family members. It’s not uncommon for these kids to also experience gaps in school attendance. 

PSDORT grant money will go toward helping students who are trying to deal with not only the loss of a parent or loved one, but loss of learning. Funding of special education services for children affected by neonatal opioid exposure is also planned, ensuring care for students with the greatest needs. 

Improved Mental Health Awareness

The trauma and stigma linked to opioid use have created a growing need for mental health support in schools. Charleston County students will benefit from expanded access to these services through grant funding with a focus on reducing stigma, and support for healing through trauma informed programs. 

Efforts will focus on the overall well being of every student, recognizing that health and growth are closely tied to the family and community. That’s why parents and community members will be invited to participate. 

Where Schools and Community Meet

In the spirit of shared commitment, Charleston County schools will continue collaborating with two of their largest supporters: Medical University of South Carolina and Wake Up Carolina. Funds will also go toward creating new community partnerships. 

If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid use, local help is available. Find a Narcotics Anonymous meeting near you or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) today.

If you think the opioid epidemic is only a problem for younger generations, think again. Adults 65 and older are facing growing risks as senior opioid overdose deaths continue to rise. According to a recent study, fatal overdoses among seniors increased by 9% in just the last eight years. The majority of fatalities stemmed from the dangerous cocktail of fentanyl combined with stimulants.

The research was presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY annual meeting and used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seniors are frequently overlooked when it comes to opioid studies and yet they’re part of the rising surge of drug overdoses taking lives across the nation. 

Why Seniors Are at Higher Risk

Why are these groups more vulnerable to opioid overdose events? One reason is that many of them may already have chronic health conditions that affect them. The epidemic has happened in stages, with the beginning being prescription medications in the 1990s. Then came heroin, fentanyl, and now, fentanyl mixed with stimulants such as cocaine. This fourth phase is where older adults have been impacted most. 

Over 400,000 death certificates were analyzed between 2013 and 2023 for the study. All of them listed fentanyl as the cause of death. The rise in fentanyl related overdoses among seniors seemed to start in 2015 and saw a noticeable spike in 2020.

How to Prevent Senior Opioid Overdoses

The study illustrates many findings, including the incidence of drug sharing among older adults, the need for improved patient monitoring when prescribing opioids, adjusting perioperative planning for this age group, and using clear labeling practices. 

Although the trends are daunting, there are still steps within our control that may help decrease the chances of these occurrences. Knowing this group is also vulnerable can shine a light on the need for education and proper maintenance for prescriptions. One of the goals is to minimize the use of this drug as a pain control method and to look for safer ways to treat older adults. 

If you or a senior you love is struggling with opioid addiction, support is available.

Find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings or senior focused recovery programs in your area or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) for immediate assistance. 

Recent data from FAIR Health’s Opioid Tracker revealed how the opioid crisis has affected the nation, particularly in the South. Arkansas opioid addiction rates were the fourth highest in the U.S between 2021 and 2024. Tennessee ranked first in the nation with 1,147 cases. West Virginia and Kentucky followed. 

Arkansas Opioid Addiction Rates Spike After COVID-19

The number of national opioid use disorder cases soared almost 40% between 2021 and 2024. The U.S saw a 39.8% increase from 386 instances per 100,000 to 539 per 100,000. 

In 2024 the number of residents battling opioid addiction in Arkansas was over twice the national average. With a rate of 1218 diagnoses per 100,000 Arkansans. An estimated 51% of those diagnosed were women. 

The majority of persons diagnosed with OUD were between the ages of 31 and 50.

These findings highlight the crucial need for assisting those in need of addiction treatment services. They also show how the opioid crisis has infiltrated communities across the U.S., regardless of income level and demographics. 

The Role of Telehealth in Arkansas Opioid Treatment

Data also highlighted shifts in settings where professionals treat opioid use disorder. Telehealth services increased from 4.3% in 2021 to 6.3% in 2024. The number of in office treatment claims decreased from 43.8% in 2021 to 38.6% in 2024. Care in outpatient facilities also increased from 1% to 9% between 2021 and 2024.

These shifts show how technology and new care models are helping more people safely begin recovery and manage withdrawal symptoms remotely.

Arkansas Invests in Fighting Opioid Addiction

Arkansas is taking steps to remedy the devastating effects of the opioid crisis after receiving millions in vaping and opioid settlement funds. Attorney General Tim Griffin plans to fund “one pill can kill” campaigns across Arkansas college campuses. 

The Arkansas Children’s Hospital also announced the building of a new $75 million research center in Little Rock this summer. This facility will be dedicated to studying the impact of opioid addiction on parents and children.

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid dependency, help is available. Call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) today or explore NA meetings to connect with people who understand what you’re going through and can support your recovery journey.

Iowa has recently launched the Save a Life With Naloxone initiative aimed at fighting the ongoing opioid epidemic through increased access to naloxone (Narcan). Naloxone is a fast-acting medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save lives when used quickly.

The state of Iowa stresses that the safety of the state’s communities is at the forefront of this continued effort. The program ensures that naloxone is widely available to residents, first responders, schools, and community organizations to prevent overdose deaths and promote recovery. 

How to Get Naloxone in Iowa

Through the program, eligible organizations can request naloxone products for people at risk of an opioid overdose. There are two different application tracks for organizations. One is for law enforcement agencies and non-EMS regulated fire departments, and the other is for Iowa organizations, businesses and schools. 

Since NARCAN is now available over the counter, many community organizations and secondary distributors, such as school districts, healthcare providers, health departments, fire departments and law enforcement personnel, can apply to distribute it locally. 

Secondary Distributors

Some secondary distributors can currently dispense the prescription medication Kloxxado, another FDA approved naloxone medication. However it should be noted that the Iowa Health and Human Services will stop supporting allocation in November of this year, focusing on future efforts on expanding naloxone and community education. 

To simplify the process, Iowa HHS provides a public FAQ document outlining eligibility, distribution requirements, and best practices for overdose prevention.

The Bigger Picture

Naloxone programs like this one play a critical role in the nation’s opioid overdose response strategy. According to the CDC, more than 80,000 people in the U.S. died from opioid-related overdoses in 2024. Increasing naloxone access can mean the difference between life and death while individuals seek long term recovery through treatment or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.

Find Support Near You

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid use, you are not alone. Search for NA Meetings near you on Narcotics.com or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) today to take the next step toward recovery.

Native Appalachian author Barbara Kingsolver has opened a new center focused on women’s opioid recovery in Virginia. Kingsolver won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Demon Copperhead, a novel about Appalachia’s opioid addiction crisis.

Now she is opening Higher Ground Women’s Recovery Residence in Lee County, Virginia, which provides a stable home for women who are learning to live sober after release from incarceration or inpatient substance abuse treatment centers.

Witnessing the Devastation

As a native Appalachian who lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia, Kingsolver knows firsthand how the national opioid epidemic “has changed so much of the texture of this place.” She has witnessed the devastation wrought by the pharmaceutical industry’s targeting of central Appalachia with sales of falsely proclaimed addiction-resistant prescription painkillers.

In the author’s words, “They came to harvest our pain when there was nothing else left.” 

Desperately Needed Recovery Services

In the process of researching for Demon Copperhead, Kingsolver delved deeply into the real life stories of individuals struggling with addiction and the loved ones who are often their caregivers.

The facility Kingsolver has opened in response to those stories, funded by proceeds from her Pulitzer-winning novel’s overwhelming success, offers desperately needed services to a region that has been ravaged by the opioid crisis.

Higher Ground fosters a safe and welcoming environment for healing from substance abuse, with private and semi-private bedrooms, a shared kitchen and a communal den. Perhaps most importantly, the center has helped to create a tight-knit support system of women who understand each other and the destructive impact of addiction on families and communities. 

Figuring it Out Together

This past June, an audience gathered at the Lee Theatre in Pennington Gap, Virginia to celebrate the center’s opening. When Kingsolver invited current residents onstage to share their experiences, they were more interested in discussing the bonds they have forged with housemates and staff members. 

35-year-old Syara Parsell, one of the center’s first residents, has already found work and enrolled in college classes. She says, “Together, we figure it out.” As Kingsolver says, in the end, the benefit to residents of the center “is not just sobriety, but belief in themselves.”

Finding NA Meetings

One of the best tools for achieving long-term recovery is meeting with like-minded people who are also sober.

You can find NA meetings in your area or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) today.

To eradicate the opioid crisis, federal response efforts are intensifying as agencies ramp up resources to combat the Dark Net and international sources of illicit drugs.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has noted that the rise of e-commerce has made the battle against opioids more difficult. Anyone with internet access can successfully place orders from their living rooms without going into the streets.

ICE personnel cite the 200,000 Americans who have died from fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is 50 times more lethal than other major opioids—50-100 times deadlier than heroin and morphine. Experts note that just one kilogram of fentanyl can produce over a million doses.

To combat the opioid crisis, federal agents like Greg Nevano are spearheading the charge. He is ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Deputy Assistant Director of the Illicit Trade, Travel and Finance Division. Nevano warns that drug users nowadays “get their fix just by ordering it online for much cheaper and get a more potent dosage.” The drug pusher on the street, whom the law would normally target, is largely a thing of the past.

Fighting the Opioid Crisis

One thing has become clear as agency personnel battle this epidemic. Law enforcement can’t handcuff the country out of their opioid addictions. An educated public and an engaged community are crucial partners to tackle trafficking head on. 

President Donald Trump has been active in combatting the crisis. He declared illicit opioids a national public health emergency back in October 2017. The president directed ICE to increase the number of agents and resources on the fentanyl field and to stop the flow of drugs into the country.

An International Reach 

The rise of fentanyl in the United States can be traced back to China’s chemical and pharmaceutical industries. These offshore companies manufacture copious amounts of drugs to export to the west with little regulatory oversight. ICE’s role is to cut off the illicit opioid trafficking from China and other nations from reaching American shores.

However, state and local officials don’t always have funding and resources to sustain the scope of the war against opioids. Here is where federal partners like HSI are brought in. Tripling HSI resources in heavily hit regions like Ohio helps law enforcement by providing crucial operational support and experts. The more resources put toward battling the crisis, the better the outcome for communities most affected by opioids.

What’s Next? 

To battle the opioid crisis, federal response is vital. HSI personnel team up with state and local partners to maximize its impact on transnational crime organizations operating within U.S. borders.

As is often the case, the solution to the problem lies in banding together as a nation to finally eliminate opioids from local communities.

Find NA Meetings Near You

As the government response continues to cut illicit opioids from their source, users can also do their part to turn their backs on drugs.

Take the first step by looking for NA meetings in your area or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) today.

Fentanyl has overshadowed much of the opioid crisis in the public eye for the past several decades. But a growing number of new synthetic opioids called nitazenes have recently taken the American illicit drug market by storm. One report has noted that nitazenes have the same potency as fentanyl and in some cases are even higher.

Expanding the War on Fentanyl

President Donald Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act in July 2025 to classify fentanyl as a Schedule 1 drug. This strengthens the punishment for those convicted in fentanyl trafficking. But some experts contend that putting more focus and resources towards stopping fentanyl spread could lead to other drugs emerging to fill the void.

Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta of the Gillings School of Global Public Health in North Carolina tracks nitazene use. He states that the focus on fentanyl has encouraged the black market to switch to alternatives that are easier to trade and can hide in the shadows. Dasgupta’s team has detected nitazenes across 15 states with the largest concentration in Tennessee.

Taking a Closer Look

Alex Krotulski of the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education has done similar work. One problem with detecting nitazenes is that the technology required to identify them is not standard in autopsies, meaning nitazene-related deaths are likely underreported. Krotulski also contends that the United States lacks a “uniform way of tracking drugs” so tracking nitazines is difficult. 

Sheila Vakharia is a national expert on harm reduction. She agrees there was “no one consistent supply chain across all 50 states.” Vakharia also explains that new drugs typically start within one city and then spread to rural areas that lack tracking measures.

Finding a Path Forward

The current administration has recently requested cuts for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2026. On the chopping block is the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. 

Dasgupta warns that cutting programs would further impede the ability to track and detect novel drugs. Nitazene usage is nowhere near the same level as the fentanyl trade, but concerns grow that the opioid epidemic will continue to grow in a new and potentially more lethal direction. Dasgupta says that “an unregulated drug supply is always going to be changing.”

If you or a loved one is impacted by opioids or other narcotics, there’s hope.

Check out local NA meetings on Narcotics.com or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) .

Naloxone Texas, a statewide program that’s part of the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders to prevent opioid overdoses in Texas, is deploying a new service on Texas college campuses this fall. It’s aimed at universities and colleges throughout the Lone Star State and offers overdose response training and free naloxone for students, staff, and faculty. 

Naloxone Can Save Lives

Naloxone is the generic of Narcan and rapidly reverses opioid-related overdoses. The drug can save a life when administered immediately after an overdose. The drug is similar to an EpiPen (epinephrine auto injector) or heart defibrillator in that trained bystanders can offer quick and effective life-saving measures before first responders arrive. 

In response to a growing opioid crisis in Texas that inordinately affects young adults, Naloxone Texas will target community colleges, private and public universities, and trade schools.

Dr. Tara E. Karns-Wright is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UT San Antonio and director of Naloxone Texas. She expressed gratitude to the Texas Legislature and Texas Health and Human Services for funding the effort to provide every college campus with the resources and knowledge to respond to opioid overdoses.

“We’re making this life-saving medication more accessible and helping everyone become first responders in moments that matter most,” she said.

How Naloxone Texas Works

Naloxone Texas will be participating in back-to-school events across the state. These include hosting events at campuses in San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Local staff and students can sign up for free naloxone kits at these events. They can ask questions and learn how to use the kits to prevent and treat overdoses. 

In addition to opioid overdose reversal kids, Naloxone Texas also makes available the following services to enrollees:

Evidence-based training services: There are virtual, on-demand teaching modules where participants learn to identify and respond to opioid overdoses. They can also understand the varied approaches to addiction treatment in general and how therapies are effective.

Naloxone distribution: Individuals and organizations may request free kits in bulk with an emphasis placed on areas where individuals are at high risk of overdose, as determined by county data.

Referrals to support services for adolescents and adults through the Be Well Texas Provider Network and the Be Well Clinic. Both offer in-person and virtual care for substance use issues. Referrals may also be given to NA recovery meetings throughout Texas.

Campus organizations, as well as student health services and college administrators, are urged to schedule customizable training workshops and request free naloxone kits by signing up here.

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, there is hope. Narcotics.com lists NA meetings around the nation, including online and virtual NA meetings.

For immediate support, call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) today.