This is a report from the National Governor's Association which outlines several recommendations on how the federal government can help state governments and local communities tackle the opioid crisis in the areas of prevention, treatment, and recovery. These include increasing federal funding to states and giving them flexibility in distributing these resources.  

This is an issue brief from several collaborating agencies that offers statistics on opioid misuse and overdose deaths in rural Appalachian communities. Strategies and resources to address opioid issues are highlighted within this document. In addition, the brief covers recommendations to assist policymakers, funders, and leaders working to reduce opioid-related health disparities.

This toolkit provides information on how to support children affected by parental substance use disorder. It is meant for anyone - including but not limited to teachers, coaches, pastors, friends, and neighbors. The toolkit offers resources for adults to help understand adverse childhood events, what to look for if you suspect a child has a parent with substance use disorder, how to help those individuals, and more. 

This is a report from the National Academics of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that provides an in-depth examination on the slowing down of the growth and eventual decrease of life expectancy in the U.S. with a focus on an increase in deaths of despair (drug overdose deaths, alcohol-related deaths, and suicides) among working-age adults. 

This is a report developed by the Human Services Information Technology Advisory Group (HSITAG) that explores the relationship between homelessness and opioid use disorder (OUD). Current policies and funding targeting this population are discussed, and a more informed, comprehensive picture of the problem and potential solutions through data sharing (e.g. Medicaid, Medicare, social services, criminal justice, and public health) is put forth. 

This was a presentation done at the Rx Summit that describes how faith leaders and their community members are currently responding to the opioid epidemic as well as how community stakeholders can partner with faith-based organizations. Two faith-based initiatives in West Virginia and Ohio are highlighted.  

This is a presentation and webinar by Oregon SBIRT (author Winkle) that provides guidance on integrating harm reduction principles into screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) to improve this evidence-informed technique. The overall goal of this integration is to reduce harm and open pathways to treatment in the long run. There is information on the role that stigma plays in substance use disorder. 

This is a report from the National Academy of State Health Policy that reviews common data sources that can help state leaders address key issues, such as preventing substance use disorders and diversion of controlled substances, supporting harm reduction, increasing treatment capacity and service delivery, and understanding the needs of vulnerable populations. Best practices are highlighted. 

This is an academic paper that examines how states are responding to the opioid crisis by using a survey of state health officials. As of 2015, prevalent state initiatives included educating the general public and specific stakeholders (e.g. pharmacists, physicians), cautious opioid prescribing, expanding medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and expanding the availability of naloxone. 

This is a report from the International Public Safety Association that provides: an overview of naloxone, fentanyl, and first responder contact overdoses; a discussion of naloxone administration methods – including policy and legal considerations for administration; and the impact of the opioid crisis on first responders’ mental health and actions that agencies can take to respond to this. 

This is a report from the Product Stewardship Institute and New York Product Stewardship Council, designed for pharmacists and pharmacy managers as well as anyone else interested in safe drug disposal, that provides best practices and guidance on how to start a safe drug disposal program where the pharmacy is the site of drug collection. The report is interactive and contains step-by-step instructions.  

This resource from Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) provides essential information about the opioid crisis, opioid use disorder (OUD), and neonatal abstinence syndrome. It includes relevant research, offers strategies for local and state governments and communities to respond to OUD in the context of pregnancy, early childhood, and public health, and highlights promising efforts underway in several states.

There is also a comprehensive list of additional resources at the end of the document.