Overdose Prevention

Visit us at HarmReductionAllegheny.org.

The ACHD is working with government and community partners to address this epidemic head-on. This section offers information about opioid addiction, treatment options, and overdose prevention for residents, pharmacies, first responders, and healthcare professionals. The ACHD has been the recipient of the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant from CDC since 2019 after an unprecedented number of deaths from overdose in 2016 (734 total deaths, 602 from an opioid overdose). The OD2A grant has allowed us to increase staffing to not only conduct surveillance for overdoses but to increase outreach by our staff and our community partners. The Allegheny County Overdose Dashboard shows up to date trends and information about people who have experienced an accidental overdose.

For more information on how the Health Department is helping address this epidemic, be sure to take a look at a schedule of informative opioid-related events, which can be seen at HarmReductionAllegheny.org. Also refer to the Harm Reduction Allegheny website for a list of program times and locations of existing Syringe Services Programs.

Together, we can confront and overcome this public health crisis. Need help now? View our Steps of Recovery brochure(PDF, 689KB). Are you looking for substance use resources or linkage to treatment? Request harm reduction supplies (e.g., naloxone) and find resources at Allegheny County Harm Reduction Resources. Please view these tips to prevent overdose and infections(PDF, 154KB) when using substances.

If you’re looking to safely dispose of unwanted prescription medication, find Drug Take-Back locations in your area. You can also contact Project DUMP through the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. They will pick up your prescription drugs at your home or in your community. View the Project DUMP flyer(PDF, 568KB) to learn more.