Opioid Overdose Prevention | Vermont Department of Health

Opioid Overdose Prevention | Vermont Department of Health
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Translations for you
Opioid Overdose Prevention
Injury Prevention
Prevent Falls
Suicide Prevention
Firearm Safety
Opioid Overdose Prevention
Water Safety in Vermont
Naloxone can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (such as prescription pain medication or heroin).
When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within two to eight minutes. Naloxone has been used safely by medical professionals for more than 40 years to reverse the effects of opioids on the brain and respiratory system in order to prevent death.
Get Naloxone
The Health Department provides naloxone (Narcan® nasal spray) and training through collaborations with community-based organizations. These partners distribute naloxone and provide overdose response training, opioid misuse prevention training and referrals to treatment across Vermont.
People who should carry naloxone:
People who use opioid drugs (either prescribed or illicit)
Those who interact with people who use drugs (like friends, family, and emergency personnel)
If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid use disorder or is in treatment, you can get naloxone to carry or keep in your first aid kit at one of our partner distribution sites listed below.
The Good Samaritan Law
provides some legal protection to anyone who gives naloxone or calls 9-1-1 in an overdose situation.
IF SOMEONE IS OVERDOSING, GIVE NALOXONE AND CALL 9-1-1
Get help now
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.
Recognize the signs of an opioid overdose
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
How to Use an Emergency Treatment That Can Save Someone's Life
ARABIC: كيفية استخدام علاج الطوارئ لإنقاذ حياة شخصا ما
BURMESE: တစ်စုံတစ်ယောက်၏အသက်ကို ကယ်တင်နိုင်သော အရေးပေါ်ကုသမှုကို ဘယ်လိုအသုံးပြုရမည်နည်း။
DARI: نحوه استفاده تداوی عاجل که می تواند جان یک یک شخص را نجات دهد
FRENCH: Comment administer un treatment d’urgence qui pourrait sauver la vie à quelqu’un
KIRUNDI: Uko bakoresha umuti w’ubutabazi bwihuta ushobora kurokora ubuzima bw’umuntu
MAAY MAAY: Sidi lin istacmaalaw daawudu gergaark deg-degu si lin badbaadiyo qof noololis
MANDARIN: 怎样使用一种紧急治疗措施来拯救他人的生命
PASHTO: څنګه د بیړنۍ درملنې په کارول سره چې وکولی شي د یو چا ژوند وژغوري
SOMALI: Sida Loo Isticmaalo Daawaynta Degdegga ah ee Badbaadin karta Nolosha Qof
SWAHILI: Jinsi ya Kutumia Matibabu ya Dharura Yanayoweza Kuokoa Maisha ya Mtu
TIGRINYA: ሕይወት ሰብ ዘድሕን ሕክምና ህፁፅ ከም ዝግበር
UKRAINIAN: Як скористатися препаратом невідкладної допомогої, який може врятувати чиєсь життя
VIETNAMESE: Cách sử dụng phương pháp điều trị khẩn cấp để cứu sống mạng người
Take action to save a life
If you think someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose, follow these steps:
Check for signs of an opioid overdose.
Call 9-1-1.
Give naloxone.
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.
Find naloxone in Vermont
Get Narcan
®
mailed to you for free.
To order free naloxone to be mailed to your home, also for free, visit
the Vermont Alcohol and Drug Information Clearinghouse’s Overdose Prevention Kit
.
If your organization is considering becoming a Vermont naloxone distribution site, please complete
the Community Program New Site Screening Form
.
View the full-screen version of the Naloxone map.
Get naloxone as well as prevention and overdose response training designed and approved by the Health Department at these distribution sites.
TOWN
ORGANIZATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
Newport
North Country Hospital
189 Prouty Drive
Newport, VT 05855
802-334-3210, Ext. 618
Berlin
Central Vermont Addiction Medicine
300 Granger Road
Berlin, VT 05602
802-223-2003
Brattleboro
Groundworks Collaborative
60 Main Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-5415
Bellows Falls
Parks Place
44 School Street Ext.
Bellows Falls, VT 05101
South Burlington
Howard Center – Chittenden Clinic
75 San Remo Drive
So. Burlington, VT 05403
802-488-6450
Newport
BAART Behavioral Health Services
475 Union Street
Newport, VT 05855
802-334-0110
Brattleboro
Habit Opco – Brattleboro
16 Town Crier Drive
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-258-4623
St. Albans
Howard Center – St. Albans
172 Fairfield Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
802-524-7265
Burlington
Howard Center – Safe Recovery Program
45 Clark Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-488-6067
White River Junction
HIV/HCV Resource Center – Syringe Exchange Program
70 North Main Street
White River Jct., VT 05001
802-295-1868 (M&Th 2:30-4:30 pm)
603-448-8887
Newport
Turning Point of Newport – Journey to Recovery Center
58 Third Street
Newport, VT 05855
802-624-4156
St. Johnsbury
Kingdom Recovery Center
297 Summer Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-751-8520
Morrisville
North Central Vermont Recovery Center
275 Brooklyn Street, Suite 2
Morrisville, VT 05661
802-851-8120
Middlebury
Turning Point of Addison County
54 A1 Creek Road
Middlebury, VT 05753
802-388-4249
Bennington
Turning Point Center, Bennington
160 Benmont Avenue, 4th floor
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-9700
Barre
Turning Point of Central Vermont
489 North Main Street
Barre, VT 05641
802-479-7373
Burlington
Turning Point of Chittenden County
191 Bank Street, Suite 200
Burlington, VT 05401
802-861-3150
St. Albans
Turning Point of Franklin County
182 Lake Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
802-782-8454
Rutland
Turning Point Center of Rutland
141 State Street
Rutland, VT 05701
802-773-6010
Hartford
Upper Valley Turning Point
200 Olcott Drive
Hartford, VT 05001
802-295-5206
St. Johnsbury
Vermont CARES
1091 Hospital Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-9061
Rutland
West Ridge Center for Addiction Recovery
1 Scale Ave., Building 10
Rutland, VT 05701
802-776-5800
Wells River
Little Rivers Health Care
65 Main St.
Wells River, VT 05081
802-757-2325
Springfield
Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield
7 Morgan Street
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-4668
Burlington
UVM Student Health Services
425 Pearl Street, Ground Floor 332
Burlington, VT 05401
802-656-3350
Rutland
Rutland Free Clinic
145 State Street
Rutland, VT 05701
802-775-1360
Windsor
Connecticut Valley Recovery Services
15 State Street
Windsor, VT  05089
802-674-9400
Brattleboro
AIDS Project of Southern Vermont
15 Grove Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-254-4444
White River Junction
Bradford Psychiatric Association
220 Holiday Drive, Suite A
White River Junction, VT 05001
802-281-6364
Brattleboro
Turning Point of Windham County
39 Elm Street
Brattleboro, VT  05301
802-257-5600
Burlington
Howard Center – Act1/Bridge Program
802-488-6425
St. Albans
BAART Behavioral Health Services
10 Crest Road
St. Albans, VT  05478
802-370-3545
St. Johnsbury
BAART Behavioral Health Services
1097 Hospital Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-6166
White River Junction
Good Neighbor Health Clinic
c/o Laura Byrne
70 North Main Street
White River Junction, VT 05001
802-295-1868
Burlington
UVM Center on Behavior and Health
Department of Psychiatry
College of Medicine
University of Vermont
UHC-SATC, Room 1415
1 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-656-9987
Brattleboro
Brattleboro Retreat
Anna Marsh Lane
P.O. Box 803
Brattleboro, VT 05302
802-258-4388
Montpelier
Treatment Associates, Inc.
73 Main Street
Suite 27
Montpelier, VT 05602
802-225-8355
West Lebanon
Habit OPCO
254 Plainfield Road
West Lebanon, NH 03784
603-298-2146
Randolph
Gifford Medical Center- Kingwood Health Center
1422 VT Route 66
Randolph, VT 05060
802-728-7709
Barre
People's Health & Wellness Clinic
533 North Main Street #5
Barre, VT 05461
802-479-1229
Morrisville
Treatment Associates, Inc.
65 Portland St.
Morrisville, VT 05661
802-851-8220
Rutland
Bradford Psychiatric Association
199 Stratton Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-775-7798
Windsor
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center
289 County Road
Windsor, VT 05989
802-674-7224
Rutland
Vermont CARES
1 Scale Ave, Howe Center
Bldg #18, Room #103
Rutland, VT 05701
802-748-9061
Barre
Vermont CARES
People's Health and Wellness Clinic
553 N Main Street #5
Barre, VT 05641
802-748-9061
Montpelier
Vermont CARES
29 Main Street #14
Montpelier, VT 05602
802-748-9061
Bristol
Mountain Community Health
61 Pine St., Building 4
Bristol, VT 05443
802-453-3911
Standing order & Vermont law
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 2027.
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.
About Vermont's Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Project
Since 2014, Vermont’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Project (OOPRP) collaborates with community-based organizations to distribute naloxone and provides overdose response training, opioid misuse prevention training, and referrals to treatment across Vermont. As one piece of the State of Vermont’s coordinated effort to reduce opioid-related fatalities, the OOPRP works to ensure that first responders and the public are trained and equipped to effectively response to suspected opioid overdoses. The program also helps to ensure communities have access to overdose education, training, naloxone rescue kits, and referrals to other services.  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
, or learn more about the program's impact in the
Community Naloxone Program Evaluation
.
Email
[email protected]
for information on naloxone training or becoming a distribution site.
If you are considering becoming a Naloxone distribution site, please complete this
Community Program New Site Screening Form
.
Shelf-life extension of Narcan from 36 months to 48 months
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
.
BTNX Rapid Response Drug Testing Strip shelf-life extension
Please see the most recent information from the manufacturer regarding shelf-life extension of their products. Please see the links for the specific product, lot number and updated expiration date.
BTNX Rapid Response Xylazine shelf-life extension dated 02.14.2026
BTNX Rapid Response Fentanyl shelf-life extension dated 01.15.2026
For future reference posted extensions are listed on the
Lochness Medical Website
, at the bottom of the specific product page.
Naloxone/Narcan® in K-12 Schools
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.
Letters for School Districts
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
Education materials
Blue Poster
Yellow Poster
Postcard
Brochure
Wallet Card
VADIC –Order free substance
use
messaging materials at the
Vermont Alcohol and Drug Information Clearinghouse (VADIC)
.
If Someone is Overdosing,
Call
911 and Give Naloxone Instructions.
Translated Documents coming soon.
Contact Us
Naloxone Program
Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Project
Phone:
802-363-0091
Email:
[email protected]
Topics:
Addiction Help
|
Alcohol or Drug Treatment
|
Alcohol/Drug Use
|
Harm Reduction
|
Heroin and Opioid Drugs
|
Recovery
Last Updated:
April 21, 2026