Get the Facts*
Opioid use can be risky, especially when fentanyl is involved. Knowing the facts can help you stay safer, spot warning signs in loved ones, and find support in DC.
Need help finding support? Text LIVELONGDC to 888-811.
You are not alone. Help is available.
Substance use can affect anyone. This page can help you understand what’s happening in DC, what support is available, and how to reduce risk for yourself or someone you love.
Support Starts With Understanding
Find support to help you or someone you love stay safer and feel less alone.
Addressing opioid use in DC
The District of Columbia is working to reduce opioid use, misuse, and overdose deaths through evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. These efforts have helped reduce fatal opioid overdoses by 33% from 2023 to 2024, and the work continues.
The DC Department of Behavioral Health helps connect residents to substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support services across the District.
Prevention
Prevention services help reduce risk factors for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, while supporting healthier children, youth, and families.
Treatment
Treatment services are based on individual needs and may include outpatient care, intensive outpatient care, residential treatment, detoxification and stabilization, and medication-assisted therapy.
Recovery
Recovery services may include care coordination, mentoring, coaching, education support, job readiness, transportation, and other wrap-around support. Recovery is personal, and ongoing support can help people keep moving forward.
Opioid Use in DC
The risks are real, but support can make a difference.
What the data shows
89% of deaths
in fatal overdose cases in DC over the past 12 months were attributed to fentanyl
113,136 Naloxone kits
were distributed over the past year, a 35.8% increase over the previous 12 months
47 overdoses
per 100,000 residents is the rate of fatal opioid overdoses in Washington, DC
2,944 syringes
analyzed in the past 12 months showed fentanyl as the top detected substance
Ways to reduce harm and save lives
What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a proactive approach that includes services to reduce negative health outcomes associated with substance use. These human-centered services are available and accessible within the community.
Carry Naloxone and Help Save a Life
Free Naloxone is available to anyone who wants it, helping reduce stigma around substance use disorders and encouraging more residents to take part in preventing opioid overdoses. By making Naloxone easier to access, the District empowers more people to be ready to save a life.