Learn more about overdose prevention, treatment options and available resources:
In Oklahoma, Native Americans are about 50% more likely to die of an overdose than non-natives. The Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Tribal Opioid Response program is protecting the health of our tribal nations by providing important overdose prevention and treatment resources.
Opioids are a class of drugs commonly used to reduce pain. The illegal drug heroin is an opioid, as are many of the prescription pain relievers prescribed by doctors, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and many others.
Fentanyl is especially dangerous because it is 100 times more potent than morphine, highly addictive, and is currently being illegally produced and distributed at a higher volume than ever before.
Opioids can negatively affect the reward center in the brain, leading users to need more and more over time. As a result, these drugs can be highly addictive.
75% of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them – usually taken from a friend or family member. Never share an opioid prescription with someone else.
There are several risk factors for developing opioid use disorder, including but not limited to:
Opioids aren’t the only painkillers available, and they’re not always the best way to treat pain. Talk to your doctor about traditional or natural healing ways to manage pain. In some cases, over-the-counter drugs can be effective with fewer side effects.
Kids are 50% less likely to use drugs when parents tell them about the risks. Talk to your kids about the risks of opioid abuse and encourage them to talk with their doctor about other ways to treat pain. You can be the one to help keep your family safe.
An overdose can happen to anyone who takes opioids.
A person is more likely to overdose if they:
If a family member or friend uses opioids, have Naloxone on hand in case of overdose. Naloxone (or Narcan) is a prescription medicine that reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain. It helps a person begin breathing again and wake up from an overdose. It can be easily and safely administered by anyone.
An overdose can happen suddenly or come on slowly over the course of a few hours. Signs of an overdose may include:
Administer Naloxone and call 911. Perform rescue breaths until medical help arrives. Stay with the person until help arrives (and about two hours after the overdose).
Naloxone will not harm someone if you give it to them and they are not overdosing on an opioid, and it can safely be given to people of all ages.
Ending opioid misuse in our community begins in our homes. When you have an active prescription, lock up your medication:
You can obtain a overdose prevention kit, which includes a medication lock bag and an at-home medication disposal pouch, at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Pharmacy Department.
Know how many pills you have available and count them regularly. If your prescription is no longer needed, dispose of it safely at a take-back program near you. Find one at www.obndd.ok.gov.
You can also get free medication disposal pouches and medication lock bags at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (No tribal affiliation required)
Overdose prevention strategies aim to reduce the negative consequences associated with drug use. These strategies help to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission and improve physical, mental and social well-being of those served. OKCIC provides harm reduction kits to any community member (no tribal affiliation required). Kits are provided by OKCIC pharmacy (hours M-F 8-5 p.m.)
If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid use disorder, know that treatment works and recovery is possible. Opioid use disorder can be successfully treated with a combination of medications, counseling and behavioral therapies designed to treat the whole person.
Start your journey here. If you think you need help, call 988.
The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic provides medical care, including medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, to American Indians/Alaskan Natives living in central Oklahoma. If you would like more information, call OKCIC MAT Clinic at 405-948-4900 ext294.
