Opioid Crisis Response

Expanding Access to Overdose Prevention and Response Services

The City of Detroit is using opioid settlement funds toward targeted, strategic, and innovative programs that reduce overdose mortality, help individuals enter treatment or access harm reduction services, and support long-term recovery. The use of settlement funds will also complement City priorities in enhancing services for unsheltered individuals and expanding access to mental health resources. 
 

The Purpose Behind Our Work

The opioid overdose epidemic is an urgent public health crisis that has disproportionately affected the City of Detroit. In 2023 alone, an estimated 432 people in Detroit lost their lives to the overdose epidemic, or over 15% of the state’s total. Preliminary data suggests that in recent years, the City has experienced a slight decline in overdoses and overdose-related deaths, progress that’s believed to reflect the impact of expanded overdose prevention efforts.
 

We aspire to increase access overdose prevention and response services improve the health outcomes save lives of residents Detroit who use substances. <strong>Find out where naloxone other harm reduction supplies

Find out where to access naloxone and other harm reduction supplies here.

Explore Our Programs Here

Reverse Overdoses When They Happen Through Free, Broadly Available Naloxone
Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose and can save a life. Newsstands, vending machines, and countertop displays are strategically placed throughout the City to expand free availability of naloxone and community safety education to save the lives of people at greatest risk of overdose. Newsstands and vending machines will offer a range of harm reduction supplies tailored to each location such as: naloxone, fentanyl testing strips, xylazine testing strips, safer sex supplies, and Deterra bags. Learn more here 

Connect Overdose Survivors to Treatment Through the Detroit Quick Response Team (QRT)
Operated by the non-profit organization, Face Addiction Now (FAN), the Detroit QRT connects individuals who recently survived an overdose with treatment, harm reduction, and wraparound services. The QRT includes peer recovery coaches who provide immediate, on-site follow-up on EMS calls of suspected overdoses. After patients receive lifesaving treatment from EMS, the peer recovery coaches will follow up on-site with the individuals to offer long term coaching and make a patient-centered, warm handoff to overdose prevention, harm reduction, and wrap around services. Learn more here 

Increase Access to Treatment for Unhoused Individuals through On-Site Services
Operated by the non-profit Self Help Addiction Rehabilitation (SHAR), this program delivers on-site behavioral health services at homeless shelters and drop-in centers. SHAR’s certified peer recovery coaches make weekly visits to shelters and drop-in centers to build trust with individuals who use substances and are experiencing homelessness. Through one-on-one peer coaching, they help expand access to essential services such as substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health support, and wraparound services by providing connection and guidance from individuals with lived experience. The goal is to increase engagement, foster long-term participation in treatment, and ultimately improve both health and housing outcomes among the population. Learn more here 

Increase Likelihood of Long-term Recovery by Expanding Recovery Housing 
Expand the supply and accessibility of recovery housing, which provides recovery-friendly environments and on-site supports for 4+ months after inpatient treatment. Recovery housing is essential in supporting long-term recovery by providing a stable and supportive living environment. It also offers services to assist participants in securing permanent housing when needed, helping to reduce the risk of housing instability.