Overdose Prevention

Life-Saving Support

No one should die because they were alone, unseen, or unsupported.

Overdose is one of the leading causes of preventable death among individuals experiencing homelessness, especially those living with substance use disorders. We believe in a harm reduction approach that centers humanity, reduces stigma, and prioritizes survival.

We don't require sobriety or readiness for change in order to offer help. Instead, we meet people where they are to offer life-saving tools, nonjudgmental support, and a commitment to walking beside them toward safety.

What We Can Do

Practical Tools. Compassionate Presence. Zero Judgment.

Through our mobile outreach, we deliver overdose prevention support directly to people in high-risk environments. Here's how we help:

Harm Reduction Supplies
  • Distribute naloxone (Narcan) and train individuals on how to use it
  • Provide clean syringes, wound care kits, and drug test strips
  • Share safe-use resources and overdose prevention education
Responding to Overdose
  • Identify signs of recent or active overdose
  • Administer naloxone (when trained and safe to do so)
  • Call 911 when emergency medical response is necessary
  • Stay with individuals during recovery and support their autonomy
Building Awareness & Safety
  • Offer information about overdose risks, including polysubstance use and fentanyl contamination
  • Encourage people to use with others present, avoid mixing substances, and keep naloxone nearby
  • Support peer education and community-led prevention
Transportation to Care
  • Provide transport to detox, sobering centers, or treatment when requested
  • Help individuals connect with MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) providers and recovery programs
  • Support follow-through for intake appointments and ongoing assistance

How We Do It

Respect First. Survival Always.

We use a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to overdose prevention. That means:

  • We respect choice - people are never pressured into treatment or change
  • We require verbal consent before providing transport or connecting to services
  • We ensure safety - outreach is conducted in teams, and all interactions are guided by clear boundaries
  • We build trust - over time, knowing that one small act of assistance can open the door to recovery down the line

Our volunteers are given valuable networking tools that help them work in partnership with harm reduction coalitions, street medicine teams, treatment centers, and other local providers. Together, we create a safety net that values every life, no matter what.

When to Call Emergency Services

Every Life is Worth the Call

We are not a substitute for emergency responders. If someone is:

  • Unresponsive or turning blue
  • Struggling to breathe
  • Experiencing a life-threatening overdose

—we will call 911 or assist others in doing so, and remain on-site until help arrives.

Staying Alive is the First Step

There is No Wrong Door to Safety

Every life we touch matters. Whether someone is seeking recovery or just trying to survive the night, we offer steady presence, life-saving gear, and unwavering respect.

Overdose prevention is not about judgment. It's about making sure people live long enough to choose what comes next.

We show up. We carry Narcan. We listen. We care.

We're not doctors or therapists. We're just someone who shows up, listens, and helps however we can. Sometimes that means handing out socks. Sometimes it means sitting with someone while they decide if they're ready for treatment. What matters is that they're not alone in that moment.