Zero Overdose

At Zero Overdose, our mission is to significantly reduce the risks associated with substance use and prevent overdose-related events and deaths through the expansion of our innovative Overdose Safety Plan©. Our training programs highlight the critical importance of engaging in open discussions about overdose risk across settings, providing valuable insight into applying motivational interviewing skills and harm-reduction techniques to create individualized safety plans that can save lives. For more information about our overdose safety planning intervention or to request training, please contact us at info@zerooverdose.org.

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! This week on the Zero Overdose Podcast, we’re joined by Beth Meyerson a leading voice in public health and harm reduction. Dr. Meyerson shares her expertise on how small, targeted changes can make a big impact in reducing overdose rates and improving community health outcomes. Key topics discussed: 🔹 The fundamentals of harm reduction and how it differs from traditional approaches. 🔹 The role of communities in driving harm reduction efforts. 🔹 Breaking stigma around addiction to foster better access to support services. 🔹 Practical strategies for overdose safety planning. If you’re passionate about harm reduction, overdose prevention, and creating healthier communities, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now to learn more about the future of harm reduction and how you can make a difference! https://lnkd.in/d4QD_M3W #ZeroOverdose #HarmReduction #PublicHealth #OverdosePrevention #Podcast Stacy Agosto, LCSW, CADC Virna Little Thomas McCarry Jorge R. Petit, MD

Community in Action! We’re proud of Jorge R. Petit, MD and Thomas McCarry for representing Zero Overdose at the Staten Island PPS Breakfast Workshop. Over 40 dedicated community and school-based professionals came together to learn critical strategies for harm reduction, overdose screening, and safety planning. Together, we are empowering communities to make a difference. #ZeroOverdose #HarmReduction #Recovery #TreatmentWorks

Exciting News: Zero Overdose Featured in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved! We’re thrilled to share that Zero Overdose has been featured in the esteemed Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved! The article, co-authored by our Co-Founder, Virna Little and Julian Mitton, MD MPH, highlights our groundbreaking work in overdose prevention and harm reduction. The piece, "Moving Upstream in Overdose Prevention: Lessons Learned from a Nonprofit’s Experience in Overdose Safety Planning," underscores the urgent need to move beyond reactive measures and focus on proactive overdose-safety planning. It calls for innovative strategies to prevent both fatal and non-fatal overdose events, especially in the face of rising overdose rates and the devastating impact on families, communities, and public health systems. Through our work at Zero Overdose, we aim to: ✔️ Empower marginalized communities with resources and education. ✔️ Focus on harm reduction and safety planning to address overdose risks upstream. ✔️ Advocate for equitable access to lifesaving treatments and medications. This publication reflects our ongoing commitment to saving lives, reducing stigma, and advancing public health solutions to the overdose epidemic. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Little, Dr. Mitton, and all who contribute to this vital mission. Together, we can prevent overdoses before they happen and create a safer future for all. Read the full Journal here: https://lnkd.in/dyeNe7V9

Zero Overdose is excited to launch a collaborative project, funded by opioid settlement funds, to bring overdose safety planning to Puerto Rico. As part of this project, we are conducting a focus group to test our training and gather valuable feedback from participants. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Dr. Jorge Petit at jpetit@zerooverdose.org.

As we gather this Thanksgiving, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supports Zero Overdose in our mission to prevent overdose deaths and support recovery. Whether you’re a partner, advocate, supporter, or someone impacted by this work, we are grateful for the strength, resilience, and compassion you bring to this community. This season reminds us of the importance of connection and the power of collective action. Together, we are driving awareness, breaking stigma, and creating real change in the fight against overdose. Thank you for your continued commitment to saving lives and spreading hope. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving! #ZeroOverdose #Thanksgiving #OverdosePrevention #Gratitude #CommunityImpact #EndOverdose #SavingLives. Virna Little Thomas McCarry Jorge R. Petit, MD

Zero Overdose at #CSAM2024! We are thrilled to announce that our Co-Founder and CEO, Thomas McCarry is on-site at the 2024 CSAM-SMCA Scientific Conference, a premier event accredited by leading organizations including: The College of Family Physicians of Canada The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Today, Tom is leading a transformative workshop: Overdose Safety Planning Skills. Amid the ongoing overdose crisis, Tom will showcase how Zero Overdose has adapted evidence-based suicide prevention practices to develop a robust framework for assessing and managing overdose risks. This interactive 45-minute session includes: ✅ A breakdown of the ARTMS approach (Amount, Route, Tolerance, Mindset, Setting) for evaluating overdose risk factors. ✅ Tools like the Overdose Safety Planning Template and Risk Questionnaire, ready for immediate use. ✅ Hands-on practice with real-world case vignettes. ✅ A collaborative teaching style emphasizing autonomy, empowerment, and harm reduction. Participants will leave equipped with skills and tools that can be implemented in their practices, along with ongoing access to Zero Overdose resources to extend the workshop's impact. Let’s champion a more effective, empathetic, and client-centered approach to overdose prevention together! Check out the full program here: https://lnkd.in/eUxTb8Yh #CSAM2024 #OverdosePrevention #HarmReduction #HealthcareInnovation

We’re honored to present a compelling episode of the Zero Overdose Podcast featuring Stephen Loyd, MD, an esteemed addiction medicine specialist, Chief Medical Officer at Cedar Recovery, and former Tennessee Opioid Czar. Known as part of the inspiration behind Michael Keaton’s character in Hulu’s Emmy Award-winning series Dopesick, Dr. Loyd brings an authentic perspective shaped by his own journey of recovery. Hosted by Jorge R. Petit, MD, Strategy and Development Advisor for the Zero Overdose Podcast, this episode uncovers critical insights into addressing addiction with compassion and urgency. From reducing stigma and enhancing support for opioid-dependent pregnant women to exploring the game-changing impact of telehealth and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), Dr. Loyd’s expertise resonates deeply in the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis. This is more than a conversation; it's a powerful reminder of the human stories at the center of this crisis.  Available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts – tune in for an episode that could change the way you view addiction and recovery. https://lnkd.in/eREJj5Bg #ZeroOverdosePodcast #OpioidCrisis #AddictionRecovery #HealthcareLeadership #MentalHealthAwareness #Dopesick #HealthInnovation

Addressing the Overdose Crisis: Making Treatment Accessible and Equitable The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act became federal law on December 29, 2022. The MAT Act eliminates previous restrictions that limited the prescription of buprenorphine, a life-saving treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Now, any healthcare provider with a standard DEA registration can prescribe buprenorphine—no additional “X-waiver” is required. This policy change aims to remove treatment barriers, yet in New York City, access remains unequal. NYC’s overdose crisis continues, disproportionately affecting Black and Latino communities, and neighborhoods like South Bronx and Harlem. These inequities are driven by structural barriers, including historical disinvestment and systemic health disparities. Treating OUD as a chronic condition, like any other, reduces overdose risks, improves health outcomes, and supports recovery. By prescribing buprenorphine, providers can directly impact lives and contribute to the fight against NYC’s overdose epidemic. Additional Resources: American Society of Addiction Medicine’s Buprenorphine Mini Course: https://lnkd.in/esd5TKaY Providers Clinical Support System educational resources and mentoring: pcssnow.org New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) buprenorphine resources: https://lnkd.in/euvWSBDu  Free NYS DOH Clinical Education Initiative online courses that meet the DEA education requirement: bit.ly/NYSDOHCEI_DEA-Ed MATTERS (Medication for Addiction Treatment and Electronic Referrals): Information and resources on DEA training requirements: https://lnkd.in/eCbEZWiJ NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) educational resources, mentoring, and learning communities: https://lnkd.in/enHqM_pB Together, we can create meaningful change in overdose prevention and save lives. #ZeroOverdose #OUDTreatment #Healthcare #MATAct #NYC

Join Zero Overdose this Thursday the 7th at 12pm CST for an informative session as part of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Communities Talk initiative. This event will focus on proactive overdose safety planning, equipping participants with tools to prevent overdose-related events. Additionally, we'll cover important guidelines on safe medication disposal as part of SAMHSA's "Over the Dose" campaign. This one-hour training will provide practical strategies to reduce overdose risks and ensure the safe disposal of unused medications to prevent misuse. It's an essential conversation for healthcare providers, community leaders, and individuals seeking to support overdose prevention efforts. Register today! https://lnkd.in/dVnPyP6r #CommunitiesTalk