Substance Use

Overdose has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States.

The National Council is actively engaged in addressing the overdose epidemic, fostering the use of evidence-based harm reduction, overdose prevention and opioid use disorder treatment in community, criminal justice and health care settings. We combine know-how from research, advocacy, policy and practice into projects that promote innovation across the continuum of substance use prevention, treatment and recovery.

Supporting Telehealth and Technology-assisted Services for People Who Use Drugs: A Resource Guide

During the pandemic, many organizations that provide care to people who use drugs (PWUD) quickly transitioned from in-person care to telehealth and technology-assisted services. To better support organizations that provide care to PWUD, the National Council, with support from the CDC, developed this resource guide organized by five strategies to address implementation challenges and leverage technological advances to improve the health and wellness of PWUD.

Supporting Telehealth and Technology-assisted Services for People Who Use Drugs: A Resource Guide

Preventing Overdose & Increasing Access to Harm Reduction Services during the Covid – 19 Pandemic

To Better understand the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on harm reduction organizations & on people who use drugs.

Preventing Overdose & Increasing Access to Harm Reduction Services during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Deflection and Pre-arrest Diversion to Prevent Opioid Overdose
Communities across the country have implemented deflection and pre-arrest diversion (DPAD) initiatives to link people who use drugs to evidence-based care and services instead of incarceration.
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Events

Responding to the Opioid Overdose Epidemic
Aug 26, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

In recent years, the opioid and overdose epidemics have increasingly threatened individuals, families, and communities across the country. Daunting statistics and rising death rates have necessitated diverse approaches by providers in all sectors, including professionals in public health, behavioral health, and primary care. Interventions have included an increase in medication-assisted…

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COVID-19 Office Hours: Telehealth for Substance Use Services
May 19, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Adapting to telehealth services can pose unique challenges for substance use disorder (SUD) providers. But for clients who have experienced barriers in receiving or accessing treatment in the past, access to telehealth for SUD could improve treatment engagement and outcomes. What has your experience been during COVID-19? What adaptations are…

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How to Leverage Telehealth Strategies for Substance Use Brief Intervention
May 11, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Adapting to telehealth services can pose unique challenges and opportunities for mental health and substance use services organizations working with adults and adolescents. However, effectively delivering screening and brief intervention for substance use challenges via telehealth can improve access to treatment, patient engagement, and overall health outcomes, especially during the…

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CoE Office Hour: How to Leverage Telehealth Strategies for Substance Use Brief Intervention
May 13, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Adapting to telehealth services can pose unique challenges and opportunities for mental health and substance use services organizations working with adults and adolescents. However, effectively delivering screening and brief intervention for substance use challenges via telehealth can improve access to treatment, patient engagement, and overall health outcomes, especially during the…

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Blog Posts

Statement from National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia on New CDC Overdose Death Numbers (August 2021)

Harm Reduction Essential Now and Always (November 2020)

Consulting

Screening Brief Intervention and Referral Treatment
Strengthen the quality of your clinical care and prevent the unhealthy consequences of alcohol and drug use among your clients by implementing SBIRT services.
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