Securing the Future: Preventing Opioid Overdoses Author: Michael Diamond

It is vital to recognize the serious impact the opioid overdoses have had in America. Establishing preventative and corrective response measures on the part of government and nonprofits are critical.                                                                             

Opioids are involved in the highest percentage of overdose deaths.[1] They originate from natural substances found in the opium poppy plant to produce pain relief.[2] Opioid Use Disorder represents as pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress.[3] In 2022, the number of people who died of a drug overdose was ten times the number who died in 1999. Between 1999 and 2022, approximately 727,000 individuals lost their lives due to an opioid overdose.[4]                            

Specific measures and guidelines are critical for responding to the current opioid epidemic.  As outlined by the American Red Cross, naloxone temporarily reverses the symptoms of opioid overdose including unresponsiveness.[5] It also normalizes breathing and can save a person’s life until professional medical help arrives.               

The roles of nonprofit organizations are crucial in battling the opioid epidemic. The American Red Cross offers a First Aid for Opioid Overdoses Online Course. This online course provides the skills needed on how to administer naloxone in response to an opioid overdose emergency.[6] The course emphasizes that educational resources can make a difference in combating the opioid epidemic.                                       

The American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) is an additional relevant nonprofit in the opioid epidemic. The AATOD works with federal and state agencies regarding opioid treatment policy throughout the United States.[7] Its Conference in Philadelphia, held from October 4^th through 8^th, developed recommendations to improve corrective care measures.[8] In addition to government impact, new perspectives from nonprofits can also be offered as well.                                                                                                           

The opioid epidemic has affected hundreds of thousands of Americans. While the epidemic remains, it is in the power of Americans to fight back against it. The response of nonprofit organizations can continue to provide a more promising future.

Sources:

[1] Preventing Opioid Overdose. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/prevention/index.html

[2] Opioids. Health: Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/opioids

[3] Preventing Opioid Overdose. CDC.

[4] Drug Overdose Deaths. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/community-conditions/health-infrastructure/health-promotion-and-harm-reduction/drug-overdose-deaths?year=2025

[5] Opioid Overdose. American Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/learn-first-aid/opioid-overdose?srsltid=AfmBOoprBQF8uwss7_eG8WFuNfwTela6ulSDxZmVbfcb6T3c8g-hjcpL

[6] First Aid for Opioid Overdoses Online Course. American Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/opioidoverdose?srsltid=AfmBOoqdCKxLmd6ljSZysjAXloYI-_tH2aSPNSK2gur8_UFn_fpYfxyO

[7] Welcome to the 2025 AATOD Conference Website. AATOD 2025 Conference. https://aatod2025.eventscribe.net/

[8] Welcome to the 2025 AATOD Conference Website. AATOD 2025 Conference.

International Overdose Awareness Day 2023. MATTERS. https://mattersnetwork.org/overdose-awareness-day-2023/

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board