Overdose Prevention: Programs and Resources to Save Lives in Dearborn
The overdose crisis in America has reached unprecedented levels, claiming tens of thousands of lives each year.
In 2020, overdose deaths in the U.S. reached an all-time high of 93,331 in a single year.
This is no longer just a crisis of opioids—it’s a multi-drug epidemic that has evolved over time.
Here’s a closer look at how overdose deaths have changed from 1999 to 2023:
- Synthetic opioids (excluding methadone): Deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl increased 103-fold. Fentanyl, often mixed into street drugs like heroin and cocaine, has become one of the most lethal substances on the market.
- Methamphetamine and other psychostimulants: Overdose deaths linked to meth and similar drugs rose 64-fold, reflecting the growing presence of stimulants in overdose cases.
- Cocaine: Deaths from cocaine overdoses increased 7.6-fold, showing its continued impact as a widely misused drug.
- Prescription opioids: Overdoses involving painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone rose 4.1-fold as misuse and overprescription persisted.
- Heroin: Overdose deaths related to heroin increased 2.5-fold, though fentanyl has now overtaken heroin as the primary driver of opioid-related deaths.
Explore LAHC’s programs, including the Narcan Porch Box, ACT, and Substance Use Prevention programs, to see how overdose prevention saves lives and strengthens our community.
Together, we can make a difference.
Breaking it down: The four pillars of overdose prevention
Overdose prevention isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s about meeting people where they are, whether that’s before substance use begins or at a point where recovery feels out of reach.
The four pillars of overdose prevention:
- Primary Prevention
- Harm Reduction
- Evidence-Based Treatment
- Recovery Support
They work together to address the crisis from every angle. Here’s what each one means and how it aids in overdose prevention.
1. Primary prevention: stopping the problem before it starts
Primary prevention focuses on reducing the chances of substance misuse before it begins.
This might look like schools teaching students how to manage stress, doctors prescribing opioids more cautiously, or communities investing in youth programs to create positive outlets for teens.
For example, programs such as LAHC’s Botvin LifeSkills teach kids how to handle peer pressure and make informed choices, helping them avoid risky behaviors that could lead to drug use.
On a broader level, prevention includes promoting responsible prescribing practices for pain management so fewer people develop opioid dependence after injuries or surgeries.
2. Harm reduction: keeping people alive and healthy
Harm reduction is about saving lives, even if someone isn’t ready or able to stop using substances.
It includes tools like Narcan, which can reverse opioid overdoses, and fentanyl testing strips, which help people avoid using contaminated drugs.
These strategies don’t encourage drug use—they reduce the immediate risks and buy time for people to seek help when they’re ready.
For instance, providing fentanyl testing strips through resources like LAHC’s Narcan Porch Box can prevent accidental overdoses by alerting users to the presence of this lethal substance in their drugs.
Needle exchange programs and safe consumption sites are other examples, offering clean supplies to reduce infections and providing a connection point to services.
Harm reduction also involves tackling stigma. Many people hesitate to seek help because they fear judgment. By promoting understanding and empathy, harm reduction programs can create a safer space for people to take their first step toward change.
3. Evidence-based treatment: making recovery accessible
The evidence-based treatment uses scientifically proven methods to help people recover.
This includes medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to manage withdrawal symptoms, paired with counseling and therapy to address the root causes of substance use.
Imagine someone struggling with opioid dependence but afraid of withdrawal.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can ease those fears by reducing cravings and stabilizing their body, giving them the strength to focus on recovery.
These treatments can also be tailored to individual needs, ensuring the best possible outcome.
4. Recovery support: building a strong foundation for the future
Recovery doesn’t end with treatment—it’s a lifelong process.
Recovery is more than completing treatment—it’s about rebuilding a stable and fulfilling life. LAHC, in partnership with WayneLINC, offers essential services to help individuals in recovery secure jobs, gain skills, and access supportive resources.
Programs include personalized coaching, career planning, ESL and Digital Literacy classes, and financial literacy training.
Participants can also access subsidized employment opportunities like Earn and Learn, legal assistance for criminal expungement and driving privilege reinstatement, and supportive services such as childcare and transportation.
These programs provide the tools and support needed for long-term recovery, empowering individuals to overcome barriers and build a brighter future.
Why overdose prevention matters
The most important thing is protecting a person’s health and life. Overdose prevention stops lives from being cut short accidentally, giving people the chance to recover, rebuild, and thrive.
Every life saved has a ripple effect—preventing the grief, dysfunction, and strain that overdose deaths place on families and communities.
When someone overdoses, it impacts everyone around them. Families are left devastated, workplaces lose valuable contributors, and communities face increased stress.
It’s in everyone’s interest to keep individuals healthy and supported, creating stronger, more connected communities.
Every death is a tragedy that could have been prevented with better resources and support. Overdose prevention doesn’t just save lives—it helps entire communities stay healthier, happier, and more resilient.
Take action today for overdose prevention in your community
LAHC is committed to saving lives and supporting Wayne County through substance use prevention and harm reduction programs. Our Narcan Porch Box at 5275 Kenilworth St offers free naloxone kits and fentanyl testing strips—no questions asked.
Through programs like the Substance Use Prevention Program and ACT Drug-Free Community Coalition, LAHC provides bilingual education, outreach, and resources to reduce overdoses and connect people to care.
We’re building a safer, healthier community from early detection with PERK kits to harm reduction tools.
Visit LAHC’s Porch Box, explore our ACT program, or reach out to learn how you can get involved. Together, we can prevent overdose and save lives.