Addressing the harm caused by opioids, methamphetamine, and other illicit substances.
More than one million people in the U.S. have died since 1999 from a drug overdose, the majority of which involved an opioid. In what is now the "fourth wave" of the opioid crisis, an increasing number of overdose deaths in Oklahoma involve the co-use of opioids and methamphetamine. The opioid crisis has also contributed to devastating consequences for communities, including opioid use disorder requiring treatment, non-fatal overdose injury and hospitalizations, infectious and chronic disease, and generational trauma and harm.
In addition to publishing research and policy guidance, Healthy Minds promotes and helps implement best-practice prevention, abatement, and harm reduction strategies. We empower our partners to install programs that aid Oklahoma communities in overcoming the effects of substance use and ensure more Oklahomans have access to the treatment and recovery services they need.
unintentional overdose deaths in Oklahoma between 2017 and 2021.
Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health
recovered by Oklahoma in settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors.
Source: Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General
Oklahomans hospitalized for a non-fatal drug overdose between 2019 and 2021.
Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health
Opioid abatement resources
Essential reading
Tulsa is poised to be nation's first 'Zero Overdose' community
Launched by Healthy Minds in March 2023, the Zero Overdose learning community is a collaborative of citywide partners dedicated to eliminating overdose deaths in Tulsa. It’s modeled after the national Zero Suicide initiative, a well-known suicide prevention framework implemented in behavioral health systems.
With plans for future cohorts in the works, Tulsa is pioneering the concept of a “zero overdose community” and is poised to become a national leader in addressing overdose deaths.
Data snapshot: Methamphetamine in Oklahoma
The United States is in the midst of what has been called the “fourth wave of the opioid epidemic,” a crisis characterized by the co-use of opioids and psychostimulants and further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Oklahoma, the stimulant fueling this fourth wave is methamphetamine. The co-use of methamphetamine and opioids (including fentanyl) has resulted in a significant increase in overdose deaths involving both substances.
Partner with us
Healthy Minds' experts are available to advise communities on the design and implementation of best-practice strategies for opioid abatement and overdose prevention.
