International Overdose Awareness Day posts highlight lifesaving tools
A candidate for Washington governor criticized harm reduction, and a Tennessee sheriff spoke out against a proposed drug treatment center.
A candidate for Washington governor criticized harm reduction, and a Tennessee sheriff spoke out against a proposed drug treatment center.
This week, posts about International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 drove the largest spike in online conversation about opioids. In other discussions, X users promoted false claims about harm reduction in response to a campaign video from a candidate for governor. Plus, news articles covered a Tennessee sheriff’s opposition to a proposed drug treatment center, which would offer medication for substance use disorders.
Public health communicators may continue circulating information about overdose prevention tools, including naloxone and drug test strips. Communicators may also want to debunk the persistent false claim that harm reduction programs “enable” drug use and outline the purpose and benefits of medication for substance use disorders.
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What’s trending nationally in conversations about opioids
International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 prompted widespread discussion on social media. Many social media users and organizations memorialized those whose lives have been lost to overdoses, encouraged people to carry naloxone, and called on political leaders to enact policies to prevent overdoses. One popular post on X stated that “awareness” is not enough to prevent overdose deaths. That post received approximately 41,400 views, 1,100 likes, 230 reposts, and 20 comments as of September 5. In the comments, some X users said we need more harm reduction programs to save lives.
On August 27, a candidate running for governor in Washington shared a campaign video on X showing a harm reduction kit that included Narcan, sterile syringes, and other tools for safer drug use. The post’s text advocated against syringe services programs that provide these tools. The post received approximately 17,000 views, 770 likes, 240 reposts, and 50 comments as of September 5. Many comments falsely claimed that harm reduction programs “enable” drug use and lead to more overdose deaths.
A Tennessee sheriff recently expressed opposition to a proposed treatment center, which would offer medication for substance use disorder, claiming the facility would create safety hazards and bring “unwanted” people to the area. His statement was covered in multiple news articles, which were shared on Facebook. Some comments on the Facebook posts agreed with the sheriff’s concerns, while others said the sheriff needs to educate himself about the benefits of medication for substance use treatment.
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Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.
In response to conversations about International Overdose Prevention Day, communicators may recirculate materials explaining the signs of an opioid overdose, where to access naloxone and how to use it, and where to access drug test strips, if they’re legal in your state.
Continuing to reiterate that SSPs do not increase drug use or crime is recommended. Communicators may explain that SSPs provide a wide range of services, including infectious disease testing and treatment, vaccinations, and referrals to care. Messaging may highlight that harm reduction programs benefit communities at-large by preventing disease outbreaks and reducing syringe litter.
In response to conversations about medication for substance use disorders, messaging may explain that this treatment option combines FDA-approved medication with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorder. Research shows that medication for substance use disorders reduces the risk of overdose, improves people’s ability to maintain employment, improves birth outcomes in pregnant people, and reduces people’s risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis C. Sharing SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357, which connects people to treatment, is recommended.