
Course Title: Life-Saving Overdose Prevention, Response, and Safety Planning
Presenter(s): Kevin A. Sevarino, MD, PhD
The content of this presentation was developed by Dr. Alexander Walley, MD, MSc, and modified to align with current federal requirements.
Course Description: Overdose is the leading cause of accidental injury death in the United States, surpassing motor vehicle crashes, claiming more than 100,000 American lives annually in 2022 and 2023. Promisingly, overdose deaths dropped to 80,341 in 2024. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid sold as heroin and counterfeit prescription opioids, and commonly contaminating cocaine and methamphetamine, is driving surges in overdose deaths in most communities. This course will introduce tools to combat overdose, which include overdose education and naloxone distribution, compassionate overdose response, drug checking, engagement and treatment, and safety planning.
Educational Objectives:
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Demonstrate how overdose education and naloxone distribution can be compassionately employed to prevent overdose
- Explain how drug checking helps prevent overdose due to contamination
- Discuss medications for opioid use disorder as part of overdose prevention
- Guide patients in developing a safety plan
Curriculum Overview: Healthcare professionals are often on the front lines of treating substance use disorders (SUDs), yet many have limited formal training in this area. The SUD 101 Core Curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in current research, evidence-based practices, and available resources.
The curriculum includes:
- Foundational Courses: Eight interactive, case-based courses that simulate real-world clinical scenarios and provide foundational SUD training
- Supplemental Courses: These courses offer a deeper exploration of specialized topics and expand on core concepts
Together, these courses enhance healthcare professionals’ competence and confidence in caring for patients with SUDs across the continuum of care, with a particular focus on opioid use disorders (OUD).
This is a foundational course within the SUD 101 Core Curriculum. Visit the SUD 101 Core Curriculum page to explore additional educational trainings as new courses become available.