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The Overdose Prevention Project
Mission Statement: "Our purpose is to prevent drug overdoses by providing support, advocacy, education and outreach to the Portland community through positive collaborations and partnerships."
In response to a record number of fatal overdose deaths in Portland in 2002, the Public Health Division started the Overdose Prevention Project in January 2003. The program was designed to approach this issue from a public health perspective. We view overdose and overdose death as being among the public health implications of drug use that needs to be addressed. Our target population is comprised of individuals who have traditionally been the most vulnerable and underserved populations within our community. These are often people who are often homeless and who live below the poverty level. They consistently deal with issues such as poor health, mental illness and drug addiction and are subsequently ostracized by the general public. We hope to help restore basic human dignity to those who are dealing with the disease of addiction while empowering them to seek solutions and improve their overall health and welfare.
Since the formation of the Overdose Prevention Project, fatal overdose in Portland have dropped by 50%. We hope to see those numbers drop even more.
Programs and Activities Available:
Educational workshops
What is ‘A great way to share important knowledge about prevention’?
"Let's Play Jeopardy!" No, it's not Alex Trebeck, but Portland's Overdose Prevention Project team is able to come to your worksite to play "Overdose Prevention Jeopardy!" with your staff and/or clients. We have brought our game into the Cumberland County Jail, Preble Street Resource Center's Women's Shelter as well as Logan Place. “ODP Jeopardy!” is targeted toward male and female adults but it can be tailored to meet your needs (i.e.: women, teens, etc). While we appreciate that addiction and overdose are not fun and games, we present this as an interactive, educational tool for anyone wanting to learn more about addiction and overdose prevention.
If you have questions or would like us to present at your workplace, please contact Amanda at aedgar@portlandmaine.gov or (207) 756-8053.
Developed by the Portland Public Health Division’s Substance Abuse Prevention Program.