Opioid Overdose Prevention

Call 2-1-1 for free and confidential treatment and harm reduction resources or find information about Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment on this site. 

VT Helplink is your statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services in Vermont. Helplink services are free and confidential. Find more information on VT Helplink services.

Common overdose situations

• When tolerance is down due to not using, for example after being in jail, detox or drug-free treatment
• When drugs are mixed, especially with alcohol or benzodiazepines
• When using alone

Check for signs of overdose

• Person is unconscious or not waking up
• Doesn’t respond to shouting or rubbing knuckles on breastbone or between upper lip and nose
• Person is not breathing normally
  •   Breathing very slowly or not breathing
  •   Snoring, choking, or gurgling sounds

If you think someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose, follow these steps: 

1. Check for signs of an opioid overdose.
2. Call 9-1-1.
3. Give naloxone.
4. Start rescue breathing and chest compressions.

Stay with the person until they go to the hospital. Someone who was given naloxone may be at risk for another overdose.

Get Narcan® mailed to you for free.

Get naloxone as well as prevention and overdose response training designed and approved by the Health Department at these distribution sites.

Standing Order 

A standing order from the Commissioner of Health has been in effect since August 2016. The standing order allows any pharmacy to sell naloxone to any person who wants to have it, without a prescription. The order allows insurers and Medicaid to cover the cost so people do not have to pay out of pocket. The current order is effective through August 2025.

Standing Order for Distribution of Naloxone

Vermont Law for Health Care Professionals (18 VSA §§ 4240 (c))

This law allows health care professionals acting in good faith to prescribe, dispense and distribute an opioid antagonist to a person who is at risk of overdose – or to a family member, friend or other person in a position to help – so long as the recipient of the opioid antagonist has completed a prevention and treatment training program approved by the Vermont Department of Health. Unless acting recklessly, with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, a health professional who prescribes, dispenses or distributes an opioid antagoinist under this section shall be immune from civil or criminal liability, regardless of whether the opioid antagonist was administered by or to the person for whom it was provided.

Good Samaritan State Law Protects Individuals

You must call 9-1-1 after giving naloxone/Narcan® if emergency services have not already been contacted. You are immune from civil or criminal liability for giving naloxone so long as you do not act recklessly, with gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

In 2019, 87 individuals administered naloxone in response to a perceived overdose; of those, 85 successful overdose reversals were reported. Learn more about this and other statistics in the latest data brief on naloxone distribution. 

Email [email protected] for information on naloxone training or becoming a distribution site.

Please see the most recent information from the manufacturer in their recent media statement. In short, all Narcan stock should follow the expiration date printed on the individual blister pack.

If your school has received Narcan, here’s what you need to know.

The Vermont Department of Health and Agency of Education launched an initiative to support K-12 schools in being prepared to respond to a suspected overdose in Vermont schools.

While there have been no reported fatal opiate overdoses in Vermont K-12 schools, this initiative gives schools important tools (including Narcan® nasal spray) to respond to a suspected overdose on campus, should one occur. Narcan® can be a life-saving emergency medication in the event of a suspected overdose, and will not cause harm to others.

If you’re interested in learning about how to add Narcan® to your personal first aid kit, review the information at the top of the page.

For questions, email [email protected]

Additional School Resources

Naloxone & Opioid Overdose Prevention in K-12 School Presentation: This 2024 presentation is designed for school nurses or other school officials leading the development of the opioid overdose response and naloxone administration in the school setting.

Example protocol: VDH and AOE developed a proposed sample protocol that may be considered by schools to address incidents that involve opioid overdoses. This sample protocol is for educational and informational purposes only and schools should consult with their legal counsel to modify, adapt, and tailor this protocol to best suit their needs.

Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools technical Assistance Center Fentanyl and Opioids: Preventing Overdoses and Related Emergencies at K-12 and Higher Education Campuses Fact Sheet

Naloxone in Schools Toolkit, National Association of School Nurses Resources: This recent toolkit aims to help school nurses, administrators, and teams with planning and preparing for the opioid epidemic in their school community. Note: You must create an account to access the toolkit and other resources.

Attached are sample letters for school districts. Make sure to edit them with relevant information about the specific district.

Sample School Letter in English

Arabic

Burmese

Dari

French

Hindi

Kirundi

Maay Maay

Nepali

Somali

Spanish

Swahili

Tigrinya

Ukranian

Vietnamese