We can reduce the risk of overdose by supporting people early and addressing factors like genetics, environment, and trauma that lead to substance use. Our prevention efforts focus on building resilience in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods to stop problems before they start.

Our 2026-2028 strategies include:

Strengthening School Support: We will increase the number of Rhode Island Student Assistance Services (RISAS) counselors in schools. We will diversify this workforce to ensure that students of all backgrounds receive the help they need.

Promoting Safe Prescribing: We will continue to educate doctors and track prescriptions to ensure that patients who have never used opioids (“opioid-naïve”) are not put at unnecessary risk.

Investing in Youth and Mental Health: We will provide trauma-informed support and leadership programs for young people. We will give them the tools and mentorship they need to make healthy choices and succeed in life.

Harm reduction focuses on providing the tools and spaces people need to stay safe and alive. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has access to life-saving supplies like naloxone and fentanyl test strips. We also want to provide supportive environments where they don’t have to use drugs alone.

Our 2026-2028 strategies include:

Expanding Life-Saving Supplies: We will maintain and grow the distribution of naloxone kits and harm reduction supplies. We will ensure they reach people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds fairly.

Increasing Direct Support: We aim to increase the number of in-person harm reduction encounters each year, making sure our services are available 24/7 to respond to changes in the drug supply.

Connecting Vulnerable Groups: We will expand our outreach to youth, pregnant people, and those leaving jail or prison. We want to ensure that overdose survivors are immediately connected to long-term treatment and recovery support.

We believe that anyone who wants treatment should be able to get it without facing barriers. Our goal is to make help easy to find, keep people engaged in their care, and provide support no matter what substance a person is using.

Our 2026-2028 strategies include:

Improving Overdose Follow-Up: We will increase the number of people who connect to treatment within six months of an overdose. We will focus on ensuring this life-saving care is distributed fairly across all racial and ethnic groups.

Expanding Medication Access: We plan to increase the total number of people receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) each year while ensuring those already using buprenorphine or methadone can stay in their programs.

Removing Barriers to Care: We are working to make both inpatient and outpatient services more accessible for everyone, from youth to seniors. We will ensure that treatment is culturally respectful and available for all substances, including alcohol and stimulants.

We know that recovery is possible for everyone. To make this a reality, we are building “recovery capital”, which is the personal, family, and community supports that help people stay healthy.

Our 2026-2028 strategies include:

Expanding the Peer Workforce: We will hire and train more Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRSs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs), focusing on increasing racial and ethnic diversity so our staff reflects the communities they serve.

Improving Housing Success: We aim to increase the number of people moving from recovery housing into permanent, stable homes. We also want to close the gap in housing disparities for people of all races and ethnicities.

Strengthening Foundations: We are investing in dental care, community centers, and faith-based supports to give people a healthy start. This includes specialized care for parents and babies, as well as community events like the Rally4Recovery to celebrate progress.