Anyone using pills or powder needs a naloxone kit, too.
Rebrand naloxone as an overdose prevention drug rather than a drug that reverses an opioid overdose to expand the circle of people who see its value.
Hire people who are actively using drugs to hand out naloxone, show how to use it and explain the need to others.
Do the same with fentanyl test strips and urge people to test every pill or powder before they take it.
Consider rebranding needle exchange sites as harm reduction programs. Some people who don’t inject drugs say they don’t go into these sites, because they don’t need clean needles or don’t want to be seen as people who do.
Stock crack and meth pipes in harm reduction programs to serve and engage with a wider variety of people who use drugs.
Warn people using any illegal drug to take precautions like doing a test dose of any powder or pill then waiting a few minutes, and never using drugs while alone. Let people know there’s a hotline they can call if they don’t have a companion.
Print messages about safe drug use in the languages spoken in your community.
Work through churches and community groups that aren’t focused on drug use to help families understand addiction, treatment options and overdose prevention.
Train health care providers to recognize addiction to drugs besides opioids, and to treat all people with respect.
Find a way to collect and report real time data about what’s in the drug supply, who is dying where, at what age and other demographic information — as we have with COVID-19.
Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that’s showing up in the illegal drug supply, is the latest example of the need for up-to-date reporting. It makes reviving someone after an overdose and starting treatment more complicated.

Sections

Radio

Podcasts

CitySpace

Support

Subscribe to our weekday newsletter

NPR

Trump's legal exposure may be growing – and 4 other takeaways from the Jan. 6 hearing

FDA advisers recommend updating COVID booster shots for the fall

NPR

Mass. legislators oppose education board proposal requiring higher MCAS scores for graduation

The Supreme Court's abortion ruling shifts legal battles to state courts

NPR

Subscribe to our weekday newsletter

COVID charts, map: Mass. case counts and vaccine tracking

VP Harris calls for abortion-rights supporters to channel frustration into action

NPR

Commentary: Indict Donald Trump. Right now

Unburned natural gas contains 21 toxic air pollutants, study finds

Emergency contraception pills are safe and effective, but not always available

NPR

What to know about this year's Boston Pops' Fourth of July concert

It's an overdose crisis, not just an opioid crisis: takeaways from reporting on deaths in Brockton

Mass. abnormally dry heading into July

We asked 8 child care workers about their joys and frustrations. Here's what they said

How child care can build kids' brains, one interaction at a time

Child care is a problem for employers, too. Now more of them want solutions

Why child care in Massachusetts costs so much

Child care is in crisis. Here's what's being done about it

One woman's story about affording child care, while working in early education

Rescue effort underway after fiery blast at a Ukraine shopping center killed 18

Truck of migrants abandoned near San Antonio, Texas, may be part of human trafficking operation

Hot new video game 'Diablo: Immortal' sparks controversy over its business model

Florida synagogue sues over state abortion restrictions

Krakatau: The loudest sound in recorded history

Encore: Giddyup! Riding groups tap into long history of Black cowboys

Lost in Translation: two tales of getting it wrong

Can you really get tics from TikTok?

In 'An Immense World,' Journalist Ed Yong helps us perceive the world the way animals do

Florida synagogue sues over state abortion restrictions

How the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade will alter the lives of women of color

Indict Donald Trump. Right now

Are These Condom Ads Too Sexy For TV?

NPR

Don't worry about the robot revolution: One expert explains why AI is nowhere near sentience

Tracy Flick Can’t Win: A conversation with Tom Perrotta on his new novel & screening of “Election”

Circle Round Book Launch Party

The Moth StorySLAM: NATURE

The Crossword Show with Zach Sherwin: Live comedy event