Get Involved

Overdose and addiction affect everyone. By taking time to learn more about these issues in Connecticut and how our state is working to address them, by getting involved in efforts to support people affected, and by inviting others to join you, you can be an advocate, educator, and champion. Focus on information and resources offered by not-for-profit, educational entities, and public entities with .org, .edu, and .gov URLs.

As a student, you can take part in addressing overdose, substance use, and addiction in Connecticut by learning more about these issues and sharing what you know with your peers. Clear up misunderstandings and inaccuracies, fight against stigma, and spread awareness. Think about volunteering with local groups that help people with substance use and addiction. Your voice and energy can make a difference.

Researchers play a key role in combating the overdose crisis and improving services for people with substance use and addiction by continuing to study causes, effects, and potential solutions. By building the evidence base, your research can help to improve treatment, prevention, and harm reduction strategies, evaluate promising models, and provide crucial data for policy and practice decisions. Institutions such as NIDA, CDC, and PCORI, are valuable resources for information, guidance, and research funding opportunities.

Politicians have the power to shape policies and direct resources. Advocate for evidence-based policies to increase access to and quality of treatment, harm reduction services, and prevention programs. Use your platform to educate your colleagues and constituents about the overdose crisis and the science of addiction. Work to remove barriers that prevent people from accessing the services they need. In addition to familiarizing with priorities described in this report, consider reviewing the Principles for the Use of Funds from the Opioid Litigation, organized by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and endorsed by over 60 organizations.

Your financial support of evidence-based, community-informed efforts to address overdose and addiction can make a significant impact. Consider investing in organizations advancing the priorities laid out by the 2024 CORE Report with particular attention to grassroots initiatives operating on the frontlines of the crisis with limited funding.

As a practitioner and educator, whether in nursing, social work, medicine, pharmacy, psychology, harm reduction, recovery support, substance use navigation, public health, or another field, you are preparing the next generation of professionals caring for people with substance use and addiction. Prioritize person-centered, evidence-based, structurally competent curricula. Promote adoption of non-stigmatizing language and practices. Encourage shared decision-making and community-oriented approaches that respect and involve the lived experience and expertise of people who use substances and those with addiction. Invest in your own knowledge and experience by staying informed, up to date, and engaged. Resources such as the Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS) offer free education and training.

Media professionals have the power to shape public perception of and knowledge about overdose and addiction. Use your platform to inform and educate the public using factual and empathetic storytelling. Avoid stigmatizing language and sensationalistic reporting.

Community leaders can leverage their influence to foster a supportive environment for people affected by overdose and addiction. Advocate for local resources and services that help those affected. Encourage open conversation to reduce stigma in the community and work to correct misinformation.

Parents and caregivers can play a significant role by educating themselves and their families about the risk factors and signs of overdose, problematic substance use, and addiction. Engage in open conversations with your children about drug use, including discussion of prevention and harm reduction strategies. Advocate for education and prevention programs for children and youth that are evidence-based.