Overdose Prevention

Communities across the nation continue to experience the devastating toll of the overdose epidemic. During the HEALing Communities Study, our intervention teams used services and activities that scientists previously tested and found to be effective at reducing rates of opioid-related overdose deaths, known as “evidence-based” practices. We believe the evidence-based practices included in our Opioid-Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (ORCCA) show promise for reducing overdose and other negative outcomes associated with opioid use disorder in your community.

The Opioid-Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach contains three categories of evidence-based practices:

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

MOUD is one of the most effective routes to recovery for individuals with opioid use disorder.

Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND)

Learn about strategies to educate the public about overdose and make naloxone, the overdose-reversal medication, more readily available.

Safer Opioid Prescribing and Dispensing

Learn about strategies to reduce high-risk prescribing/dispensing and safer opioid disposal.

Experience & Evidence: Understanding Opioid-Related Evidence-Based Practices

This video introduces the three evidence-based practices part of the Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (or ORRCA) and reviews the evidence in favor of each of these practices. Four health care professionals share their experiences implementing these practices.

The video was co-developed by HEALing Communities Study investigators from Boston Medical Center and the University of Kentucky.

Resources

Opioid-Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (ORCCA) Practice Guide

This guide includes (1) a menu of evidence-based practices spanning the continuum of care to reduce opioid overdose deaths and (2) real-word tips for implementing the evidence-based strategies.