Empowering New Hampshire Communities on International Overdose Awareness Day

As we observe International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, let’s reflect on the impact of substance misuse on our communities and the steps we can take to prevent overdoses. Overdose deaths are a pressing public health crisis affecting individuals of all ages, but young people are particularly vulnerable as they navigate a world with increasing access to dangerous substances and heightened pressures—social, academic, and emotional—that can lead to misuse.

Understanding Overdoses Among Youth

An overdose occurs when someone consumes a substance—or a combination of substances—in quantities that overwhelm their body’s ability to function. Opioids, such as prescription painkillers or illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl, are among the most common substances involved in fatal overdoses. While heroin or fentanyl get most of the news when it comes to overdoses, the use of alcohol, stimulants, cannabis and synthetic drugs can also result in poisoning or overdose. It’s important to recognize that while opioids often dominate the headlines, other substances are also contributing to this crisis.

Understanding the Risks for Young People

While direct overdose data specific to young people may be limited in New Hampshire (NH), the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) provides some insights. It shows that 2.6% of NH High School students reported a suicide attempt that led to an injury, poisoning, or overdose requiring medical treatment. This statistic is alarming and highlights the connection between mental health crises and substance misuse among teens. This figure doesn’t include accidental overdoses, which may be even more common, suggesting the risk could be underreported.

More concerning is the disparity among different demographic groups. Students of multiple races reported these incidents at nearly double the rate (4.8%) compared to white students (2.4%). This disparity highlights the need for targeted support and prevention efforts that address the unique challenges faced by people in these communities.

New Hampshire’s Progress and Challenges

New Hampshire has made significant strides in combating substance misuse. Between 2018 and 2021, the state achieved a reduction in overdose deaths by more than 11%, even as these numbers worsened in other parts of the country. This progress is a testament to the collaborative efforts of nonprofit organizations, state agencies, and community partners working together to implement proven strategies around prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery such as greater access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips, the prescription drug monitoring program, and expanded treatment of opioid use disorder.

New Hampshire made significant strides in reducing overdose deaths by over 11% between 2018 and 2021. However, this progress has been overshadowed by a recent surge in fatalities, with 486 overdose deaths reported in 2022—the highest since 2017. This marks a 14% increase from 2021, significantly higher than the national rise of 0.5%.

Fentanyl, involved in over 80% of these deaths, is a key driver of this crisis. In cities like Manchester and Nashua, the impact is particularly severe, with 25% of opioid overdoses in Nashua resulting in death. Fentanyl’s potency and ease of distribution make it a deadly challenge.

Despite progress in reducing binge drinking and drug use among high school students, the rise in overdose deaths and the ongoing mental health crisis highlight the urgent need for continued prevention and early intervention efforts.

The Importance of Prevention

Young people are especially vulnerable to substance misuse due to factors like peer pressure, curiosity, their developing brain and mental health challenges. Educating them about the dangers—especially given the increasing potency of substances like fentanyl—is critical to safeguarding their well-being. Check out our website for more information on substances, and tips on getting these conversations started.

How to access Naloxone in New Hampshire

DHHS continues to provide free naloxone throughout the state for broad-based distribution. Currently, the Doorways are the primary distribution point for naloxone. In addition, the Regional Public Health Networks, Recovery Community Organizations, the Harm Reduction Coalition, and other partners are also providing naloxone to the public. Anyone can reach out to any of the Doorways throughout the state to receive naloxone free of charge.

In 2023, NH began the distribution of NaloxBoxes throughout the state to help improve bystander access to naloxone. NaloxBoxes are durable, transparent, polycarbonate, surface mounted enclosures that provide community partners with a solution to protect and provide access to lifesaving naloxone in an easy-to-recognize cabinet mounted in a central location in a building.. Units are gasketed and opened with the turn of a thumb-lock for ease of access. NaloxBox use aims to increase access to publicly available overdose response tools; improve the capacity of bystander rescuers; reduce stigma associated with substance use disorders (SUD) and reduce morbidity and mortality from opioid overdose. The installation of NaloxBoxes in NH is intended to encourage community members to have the resources to take action in a crisis situation. Similar to the use of automated external defibrillators and fire extinguishers, the NaloxBoxes are mounted on a wall in easily accessible locations.