Overdose Prevention


About Us

We are a group of organizations collaborating to identify issues, goals, gaps, or barriers and possible intervention and prevention activities to reduce drug misuse, substance use disorders, and drug overdoses in Lincoln and Lancaster County.

Over 15 organizations have met regularly since August 2020 to identify our community strengths and areas of growth in preventing opioid overdoses.  The assets identified are shared on this website with the intent of serving as a place for residents to access many of the community’s resources in one location, as well as provide education about pain management alternatives.

Our 2023 strategic goals include:

  1. Raise awareness among our general adult population about non-opioid pain management options.
  2. Raise awareness among our general adult population regarding accessing life-saving resources.

In 2023 community awareness and knowledge will be enhanced through placement of original media messages created locally and through media shared from other resources.

Our Mission

Reduce active opioid and other addictions by providing consumer and provider education and advocacy through collaborations in treatment, reducing stigma, and prevention education.

The Vision

People are able to get the right help when they need it.

Community Partners

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Grief Resources

Addiction Loss Group
https://www.roperandsons.com/service/grief-services/
3rd Sunday of the Month
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at 4300 O Street location
For those affected by the loss of a loved one to addiction.

Our grief support groups are led by Melissa Thorne, LIMHP, LADC, a Grief Therapist at Roper and Sons, and are free to the public.

   
Basics
Opioids Are:
  • Prescription pain relieving medication
  • Can be effective in treating acute, temporary pain
  • Can be physically addicting, creating dependence and withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped

  • If you need more information about opioids and their names and dangers of prescription painkiller abuse,  you will find it here: General Information About Opioids.

    Facts

    National

    Nationally, there have been nearly 841,000 people who have died since 1999 from an overdose.  Over 70% of the deaths in 2019 involved an opioid.  And 72.9% of those opioid poisonings involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. (CDC).

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    State

    Nebraska experienced an increase in drug related deaths from 168 in 2019 to 191 drug related deaths in 2020 (reporting as of May 2021). The percent of drug-related deaths that were opioid related also increased from 2019 to 2020.  In 2019 64 deaths were related to an opioid or 38.1% of drug related deaths.  In 2020, 89 deaths were related to an opioid or  46.6% of drug related deaths (DHHS).

    Local

    Locally for the last three years there has been an increase in the total number of Non-Fatal Drug Poisonings and in the total number of Fatal Drug Poisonings.  The total number of drug poisoning fatalities increased from 22 in 2019 to 43 in 2021.  The percent of those drug poisoning fatalities related specifically to opioids was 45% in 2019, 50% in 2020 and 46% in 2021.  The number and percent of deaths specifically involving fentanyl within the opioid category increased each year.  In 2019 three out 10, or 33% of the opioid deaths involved fentanyl.  In 2020 that increased to 13 out of 20 or 65% of opioid related deaths specifically involving fentanyl.  And in 2021 while the number of opioid related deaths remained level at 20, there were 19 fentanyl related deaths – 95%. 

    Year Total Non-Fatal Drug Poisonings
    (Does not include suicides/attempts)
    Total Non-Fatal and Fatal Drug Poisonings
    (Does not include suicides/attempts)
    Total Number of Drug Poisoning Fatalities
    (Does not include suicides)
    Opioid Drug Poisoning Fatalities Fentanyl Specific Related Fatalities 
     2019  90 112 22 10 3
     2020  133 173 40 20 13 
     2021  179 222* 43  20 19

    Number could change, based on incoming toxicology reports.
    Source:  Lincoln Police Department, April 2022

              

    This website is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.