overdose

WHO-UNODC “Stop Overdose Safely (S-O-S)” initiative

Book

Overdose is the leading cause of avoidable death among people who inject drugs. The ‘Stop Overdose Safely’ is a joint initiative from UNODC and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address opioid overdose and provide life-saving...

Opioid overdose information page

Book

Worldwide, about 500 000 deaths are attributable to drug use. More than 70% of these deaths are related to opioids, with more than 30% of those deaths caused by overdose. This information page, put together by the World Health Organisation...

The link between reducing pain medication, overdose and mental health crisis

Scientific article

In response to the concerning numbers of opioid-related deaths in the US, there has been a recent focus on opioid prescribing trends, which has shown an increase in opioid tapering among patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy. However...

Let’s Talk Overdose: The Hidden Pandemic and How to Stop It

Video and audio recordings

In June 2021, the University of British Colombia Addictions and Concurrent Disorders Research Group hosted an online conference entitled Let’s Talk Overdose: The Hidden Pandemic and How to Stop It. Here, you can find the conference...

Take-home naloxone

Website

Opioid overdose deaths can be prevented through timely administration of naloxone, a potent opioid antagonist drug that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid analgesics by binding to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system...

Addressing long overdue social and structural determinants of the opioid overdose crisis: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Special Issue

Scientific article

This special issue addresses a rapidly growing area of research with a pressing public health need, the social structure of opioid use. Specifically, this issue compiles original articles that apply theoretical and empirical frameworks to...

International Overdose Awareness Day 2021

31 August 2021

Online

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on 31 August each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

Drug Overdose Deaths Before and After Shelter-in-Place Orders During the COVID-19 Pandemic in San Francisco

Scientific article

12 May 2021

Source: Appa A, Rodda LN, Cawley C, et al. Drug Overdose Deaths Before and After Shelter-in-Place Orders During the COVID-19 Pandemic in San Francisco. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(5):e2110452. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.10452 Discussion In...

Incidence and Lethality of Suicidal Overdoses by Drug Class

Scientific article

23 March 2021

Abstract Importance Prior lethality analyses of suicide means have historically treated drug poisoning other than alcohol poisoning as a lumped category. Assessing risk by drug class permits better assessment of prevention opportunities...

Medications for Opioid Overdose, Withdrawal & Addiction

Leaflet, Infographic, Fact sheet, Poster

This infographic shows the different types of medications prescribed for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction. Medications for opioid addiction, overdose, and withdrawal work in various ways. Opioid Receptor Agonist: Medications...