The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created the PDO grant (Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths) to reduce the number of prescription drug/opioid overdose-related deaths and adverse events among individuals 18 years of age and older by training first responders and other key community sectors on the prevention of prescription drug/opioid overdose-related deaths and implementing secondary prevention strategies.
The PDO grant, focused in Somerset County, is reaching out to community members such as yourself to inquire about what needs to occur in the county to prevent overdose related deaths. In addition to hearing from you on what you feel needs to be developed in our community, there are some services that we are already equipped to offer you, your staff, and consumers.
They include:
1) training on substance use disorder and the associated stigma,
2) training on safe storage and proper disposal of prescription medications,
3) discussion of Harm Reduction methods,
4) how to administer Narcan to reverse an overdose, and
5) distribution of Narcan to those in need.
We hope to identify locations in towns throughout Somerset County that will have access to Narcan and in turn distribute to those in need; thus, creating connections and opportunities for support. You never know when someone is ready to stop their use of substances. Our overall goal is to reduce overdose-related deaths and have a formal Overdose Response Plan created for Somerset County.
