Resources in

Ohio

The state of Ohio ranks 2nd for opioid-related overdose death in the United States. In 2020, there were 5,204 identified opioid overdose deaths.

If you are a person who uses drugs or if you are around people who use drugs, please consider learning how to respond to an opioid overdose and carrying naloxone (intranasal brand name: Narcan). Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing which may lead to death. Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally. We have a helpful FAQ and are constantly updating it with questions from our site visitors. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know.

MAIL-BASED Narcan and NALOXONE

Thanks to a partnership between Harm Reduction Ohio and NEXT, you may qualify to have Narcan or generic intramuscular naloxone mailed to you at no cost.

Mail-Based Fentanyl Test Strips

Ohio residents can request 5 free fentanyl test strips by mail thanks to The SOAR Initiative, a nonprofit working to promote harm reduction in Ohio. Street outreach workers can request larger numbers of test strips as well as syringes and other safe use supplies.

PROJECT DAWN

Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) is Ohio’s network of opioid education and naloxone distribution programs.

PROJECT DAWN SITES

Use this site to search Project DAWN sites by county. Project DAWN locations provide overdose response training and naloxone provision. Call ahead for more information.

PHARMACY-BASED NALOXONE ACCESS

This locator enables you to find a pharmacy in your area that provides naloxone distribution. Each location includes the name of the pharmacy, location, and a phone number. Call ahead with your insurance details to request information about your co-pay.

HARM REDUCTION OHIO

Harm Reduction Ohio (HRO) works to promote health equity through compassionate, nonjudgmental services, educate the public, policymakers and medical community about treating drug users with respect and without stigma, and end the criminalization of people who use drugs. HRO is NEXT Naloxone’s Ohio affiliate.

DRUG USER ORGANIZING

The Urban Survivors Union is a national drug users union mobilizing against the war on drugs. Check out their wealth of resources including #reframetheblame a campaign against drug induced homicide laws.

OHIOCAN

OhioCAN’s mission is to embrace, educate, and empower those whose lives have been impacted by substance use. OhioCAN takes a harm reduction approach while working with families and friends of people who use drugs.

TAKE CHARGE OHIO RESOURCE MAP

Search this helpful county by county resource map for information about naloxone access, community trainings, and substance use treatment options.

HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM MAP

Harm Reduction programs provide not only syringe and naloxone access, but many other drug user health resources, referrals to care, and advocacy opportunities.If you are a person who uses drugs in the state of Ohio and you are unable to access clean syringes through pharmacies, syringe exchange programs or online marketplaces like OTCwholesale.com, please reach out to NEXT for assistance.

OHIO’S GOOD SAMARITAN LAW

In the state of Ohio, any person assisting in an overdose emergency can do so without fear or arrest due to possession of a dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, or providing alcohol to a minor.