Community Action Plan for Expanding Naloxone & Fentanyl Test Strip Access for Community Partners

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is working to curb unintentional drug overdoses by increasing access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips for ADAMHS Boards, Behavioral Health providers, and other community partners.

Ohio’s illicit drug supply (including cocaine and methamphetamines) has become increasingly contaminated with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 100x stronger than morphine. Individuals using any illicit substances for any reason, whether recreationally or due to dependence, are at high risk of unintentionally encountering fentanyl.  Fentanyl test strips give persons using any drugs the ability to test for fentanyl and minimize the risk of accidental drug overdose. Naloxone is the life-saving medication that can reverse the effect of an opioid-overdose.

OhioMHAS’ overdose prevention strategies include:

• Naloxone Access: OhioMHAS is strongly encouraging Ohio’s ADAMHS Boards and treatment providers to register to become Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) programs, which would enable them to freely obtain and distribute large amounts of naloxone for their community.
• Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution: Additionally, registering to become a Project DAWN site allows access to free fentanyl test strips for ADAMHS Boards, treatment providers, and community partners. Organizations or individuals who are not Project DAWN partners may also obtain Fentanyl Test Strips from your local Project DAWN program.
• Media Plans: OhioMHAS has also developed OH Against OD, a harm reduction campaign communities can use to help others understand the issue and share information about resources; with the goal of increasing messaging about resources and help that is available to support people actively misusing substances as a key method to reduce overdose death.

For additional information, please see OhioMHAS’ Community Action Plan for Expanding Access to Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips, which is part of Ohio’s Strategic Plan on Opioid & Stimulant Use Disorder.