OVERDOSE EMERGENCY RESPONSE BOXES AVAILABLE! Let's increase access to Narcan! Meriden businesses and organizations can apply for a no-cost Narcan™ Emergency Box, sign and training by clicking on the picture below or call 203-630-4221.
MORR - Meriden Opioid Referral for Recovery
Meriden has a program that distributes life-saving overdose prevention and response materials and links persons to treatment and recovery resources. Please click here for information on the Meriden Opioid Referral for Recovery (MORR) program or watch the short video below. Questions about the program? Please call 1-877-577-3233.
Click here for our Year 2 MORR program wrap-up report.
Naloxone - Carry it!
Naloxone, also known as Narcan™, is the lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication. It is a short acting medication that can reverse a lethal dosage of opioids by temporarily blocking the effects of the drug. Naloxone can restores someone's ability to breath allowing time to access medical attention. Naloxone can be administered into the muscle or as a nasal spray, which is fairly simple to administer and harmless if administered to an individual who is not overdosing.
WE OFFER FREE NARCAN™ TRAINING AND MEDICATION DISPOSAL BAGS. Please call Elizabeth, our Public Health Educator, at 203-630-4221 for more information. A free Narcan™ kit, CPR mask key chain, and other supplies are given to everyone that takes our training.
OVERDOSE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
What are opioids?
Opioids are prescription medications legally prescribed by a doctor to relieve pain (e.g. Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin).
Opioids are also synthetically made in a lab and illegally sold on the streets (e.g. heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil).
While pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short period of time, under a doctor’s supervision, opioids are frequently misused. Regular use of these pain killers, even when prescribed by a doctor, can result in dependence.
Why are opioids dangerous? Opioids are designed to relieve pain, but when taken in excess the body’s automatic drive to breathe is diminished. Mixing an opiate with alcohol and/or benzodiazepines, can be fatal as these substances also slow your respiratory system.
What is contributing to the rise in overdoses? A powerful synthetic opioid, fentanyl, which is 50-100x more potent than morphine is being mixed into most street drugs (heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines’, counterfeit pills). Due to it’s strength, it only takes a small amount to be a lethal dose.
Opioid Safety Tips:
Don’t Mix Drugs: especially opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol – they all slow your ability to breath.
Don’t use alone– use with friends, let people know when you’re using, always have a cellphone with you.
Be aware of your tolerance: Regular use builds tolerance, change in your weight, or recent abstinence can affect that. If you relapse, returning to use the same amount as you did before will increase your risk for overdose.
Quality/Strength:Drug quality/strength can be unpredictable, know your source.
Don’t share or reuse needles: Call 2-1-1 or click here for a list of local syringe exchange programs.
CARRY NARCAN! Spread the word on its benefits and encourage friends and family to carry it too!
Ask for help if you’re ready to get treatment for your addiction.Recovery from substance use disorders is possible—it’s okay to ask for help. Call Rushford's MORR program at 1-877-577-3233.
Response - Create a plan of action so everyone knows the steps to follow in case of an emergency overdose situation. Notify family and friends where you plan to store naloxone so they can easily access the kit in case of an emergency.
MERIDEN DROP BOX - SAFE DISPOSAL
Have unwanted or expired medication, vitamins or supplements in your home? Take it to the drop box at the Meriden Police Department! It is available 24/7/365. Do not flush medications down the toilet! Flushing medications causes water pollution, negatively impacting our drinking water and environment. Please watch the videos below for step-by-step instructions on how to use the medication drop box.
Do you have needles at home you need to dispose of? Watch our short PSA below:
STIGMA - Language Matters!
Stigma is perceived negative attribute that causes someone to devalue or think less of the whole person. Many individuals who have an Opioid Use Disorder often also suffer from unaddressed mental health issues, trauma, and ostracism, making the road to recovery delicate and complicated. Compassion in language used to address opioid users is key in creating social change, reducing shame, and illuminating a path to recovery.
Substance use disorder includes alcohol and other drugs and is chronic condition
Person who uses drugs, substance misuse
Return to use may or may not be part of the process
Treatment and/or medications, faith-based approaches, peer and/or family support, self-care and other approaches are pathways
Individuals in recovery may focus on abstinence, harm reduction, mental health support, and health/wellness modalities
Recovery is possible and there are over 22 million people in recovery
NOT that : substance abuser, an addict, junkie
NOT: substance use disorder is a failure of morals or willpower
NOT: recovery = abstinence
NOT: Relapse is to be expected
NOT: Recovery looks the same for everyone
NOT: Excluding anyone who wants to be in recovery
NOT: A person has not hit rock bottom
New - October 2025 -Check out the new webpage End Stigma CT!End Stigma CT is an educational campaign by the New Haven County public health agencies to help to reduce stigma surrounding people with substance use disorders in New Haven County. It is funded by a Centers for Disease Control Overdose through Collaborative Actions in Localities (OD2A-LOCAL) grant. Participating organizations include East Shore Health District, Naugatuck Valley Health District, Waterbury Health Department, and the New Haven Health Department.
MERIDEN DATA
As of March 6, 2026. Counts will show when numbers are over 5. All data is subject to change. Source: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
MERIDEN RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION, PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY:
