Opioid Overdose Prevention

There are tools to test what is in any substance so you can decide if, how much, and how you want to use it. Fentanyl test strips are an important way to know if there is fentanyl in your drugs.

Free naloxone, fentanyl test strips, clean syringes and other harm reduction tools and health services are available at the sites listed below.

Brockton Neighborhood Health Center (BNHC)
63 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301
508.559.6699 

• Clean syringes, pipes, fentanyl test strips, and medical services 
• Harm reduction clinic located on 5th floor
• Or contact the BNHC Mobile Unit at 508.233.0573
• Visit Facebook @BNHCMobile for the daily location of the mobile unit
• Services available in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole and — on mobile unit only — Tagalog

The C.O.P.E. Center at BAMSI
74 Pleasant Street, Brockton, MA 02301
508.583.3405 

• Naloxone (Narcan) and training available for organizations and individuals 
• HIV and Hepatitis C testing, HIV support and harm reduction resources, including clean syringes, pipes, and fentanyl test strips 

Other Naloxone (Narcan) and Harm Reduction Locations

Cape Verdean Association
575 N. Montello Street, Brockton, MA 02301
508.559.0056 

• Naloxone (Narcan)
• Services available in Cape Verdean Creole 

Champion Plan
142 Crescent Street, Brockton, MA 02301
508.408.5168 

• Ring the bell and ask for naloxone (Narcan)
• Services available in Cape Verdean Creole, Spanish, and Portuguese 

Health Imperatives Brockton
111 Torrey Street, Brockton, MA 02301
508.586.3800

• Naloxone (Narcan)
• HIV, and Hepatitis C testing
• HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
• Services available in Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole and Haitian Creole 

The Homeless Improvement Project
30 N. Main Street and 42 L Street, Brockton, MA 02301
508.583.6700

• Naloxone (Narcan) and fentanyl test strips
• Food and supplies for people experiencing homelessness
• Services available in Spanish and Portuguese
• L Street hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. 

Plymouth County Outreach
774.434.5128

• Harm reduction kits, including naloxone (Narcan) and fentanyl test strips
• Homeless improvement kits, including water, snacks, flashlights, whistles, and harm reduction and seasonal supplies
• Can deliver naloxone (Narcan), as needed

If you or a loved one struggle with opioid use, you should have naloxone nearby. Ask your family and friends to carry it and let them know where your naloxone is, in case they need to use it.

People who previously used opioids and have stopped are at higher risk for an overdose. This includes people who have completed a detox program or have recently been released from jail, a residential treatment center or the hospital. These people now have a lower tolerance for opioids and can overdose more easily.

Anyone — including you — can give naloxone to someone who is overdosing from a prescription opioid medicine, heroin, or a drug containing fentanyl. Narcan^® or Kloxxado^™ nasal spray is a ready-to-use, needle-free medicine that can be used without any special training. They require no assembly and are sprayed into one nostril while the person lies on their back. The spray bottle (atomizer) is small and can fit in your pocket, purse, or glove compartment. Carry two spray bottles in case a second dose is needed.

Carrying naloxone does not mean that you are encouraging people to misuse opioids or other drugs. It just means that you are ready to save a life if they overdose.

For more information on laws that protect people who prescribe, carry, and use naloxone, please visit the Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System website .

Learn about protections under the Massachusetts "Good Samaritan" law .

Naloxone is very safe and saves lives. It can be given to anyone showing signs of an opioid overdose, even if you are not sure if they have used opioids. Naloxone is not addictive and cannot be used to get high.

Narcan^® or Kloxxado^™ nasal spray is an easy-to-use nasal spray packaged with two spray bottles (atomizers) in case a second dose is needed. A Quick Start guide in the box gives instructions and should be read in advance. People receiving naloxone kits that include a syringe and naloxone ampules or vials should receive a brief training on how to use it.

Naloxone

• has been proven to be extremely safe, with no negative effects on the body if the person has not used opioids;
• can also be used on pregnant women in overdose situations; and
• does not cause any life-threatening side effects.

People with physical dependence on opioids may have signs of withdrawal within minutes after they are given naloxone, but this is normal and good because it means that the naloxone is helping the person to breathe again. Normal withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, changes in blood pressure, anxiety, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting and tremors. These symptoms are not life threatening but can be uncomfortable.

There are currently two naloxone nasal spray products that generally work the same: Narcan^® or Kloxxado^™ nasal spray. They begin working within minutes after they are given and should help the person wake up and breathe again. After administering a single spray in one nostril, put the person in the recovery position, on their side with arms forward, and upper leg bent at the knee in front of the body, somewhat like a sleep position. Further instructions can be found in the box with the product, or online by searching for "recovery position."

• If the person does not respond to the first dose of naloxone within two to three minutes, a second dose should be given, after putting the person on their back again.
  • Important: If using a nasal spray, a second dose requires a second spray bottle (atomizers).
• Naloxone works for 30 to 90 minutes, but because many opioids remain in the body longer than that, it is possible for a person to show signs of an overdose after naloxone wears off. Therefore, one of the most important steps is to call 911 so the person can receive medical attention to monitor their breathing and treat these possible effects. Wait for emergency personnel to arrive and be sure to tell them about the products and doses you gave the patient. Be sure to throw away all used spray bottles and naloxone products.

People who stop using opioids often relapse (return to use) if they do not use medication to help them. Stopping and then restarting opioid use increases the chance of dying from an overdose.

Medications can help people be successful in their recovery by:

• Lowering the risk of relapse
• Lowering the risk of overdose death
• Increasing the time they stay in treatment
• Improving their lives and relationships with others

The three medications approved to treat opioid use disorder are:

Methadone

• Helps with withdrawal
• You drink it
• You have to go to a clinic daily for the first 90 days of treatment

Buprenorphine (Common brand names: Suboxone, Subutex)

• Helps with withdrawal
• You usually start by taking it daily as a tablet or film that dissolves under the tongue or in the cheek
• New rules now make it easier for health care providers to get a certificate (waiver) to prescribe buprenorphine, but not all clinics will offer it
• You typically get the prescription filled at a pharmacy
• In most cases, you can take it at home
• Once you have stabilized, your provider may recommend a long acting form of buprenorphine, such as Sublocade (injection).

Naltrexone (Common brand name: Vivitrol)

• You must stop opioid use 7 to 10 days before starting
• You might be prescribed other medications to help with withdrawal symptoms
• Usually given as a shot once a month

Important Notes

• These medications can save lives.
• If you stop taking a medication for opioid use disorder, it can increase the risk of overdose and death.
• You should discuss with a health care provider which one would work best for you.
• You should never stop taking medication without the guidance of a health care provider. Never stop taking them on your own.
• More information on medications for opioid use disorder can on the National Institute on Drug Abuse website.  

Opioid use disorder is not a choice. It’s a disease that can be treated.

Many Americans incorrectly view opioid use disorder as a moral weakness or character flaw. In fact, it is a brain disease that can be treated.

Overcoming addiction takes more than willpower. Medicine can be a very effective part of the solution.

Stigma leads some people to believe that taking medicine for opioid use disorder is “replacing one drug for another” and "not real recovery". In fact, people who take FDA-approved medicines like buprenorphine (Suboxone®), naltrexone (Vivitrol®), and methadone are more likely to stay in recovery and enjoy healthy, productive lives.

Stigma keeps people from getting the best possible care.

The myth that addiction is a lack of willpower stops people from seeing their doctors and getting treatment that can help them rebuild their lives, relationships, and health.

Stigma harms well-being and quality of life.

As a result of harmful attitudes and stereotypes, people with addictions often face devastating consequences like discrimination in employment, loss of housing, and poor treatment from health care professionals.

Stigma leads to overdose deaths.

Fear of being judged or discriminated against can keep people from getting the help they need and increase their chances of dying from an overdose.

You can make a difference by creating a stigma-free environment in your family, community, workplace, and/or health care setting.

With your friends and family

• Learn how to talk to a loved one about their opioid use.
• Understand options for treatment with medications for opioid use disorder and support your loved one’s interest in going to and staying in treatment, which can be years long.
• Use person-first language (e.g., say “person with opioid use disorder” instead of “addict”) to put people before their diagnosis and choose words that lessen blame and shame.

In your community

• Learn how faith-based and community organizations can support people with opioid use disorder in finding and staying in treatment with the aim of rebuilding their lives and getting back to work.
• Create an action plan to change negative beliefs in your community about opioid use disorder and its treatment with medications through education, grassroots organizing, and advocacy.

In your workplace

• Discover how workplaces can create a recovery-friendly environment for employees.
• Improve access to treatment with medications for opioid use disorder at your workplace.

In your health care setting

• Use recommended language to reduce stigma in health care settings.
• Participate in an “Understanding Addiction” training and earn 8 hours of continuing education credits.
• Learn how you can start prescribing medications for opioid use.