substance and addiction prevention Branch

Key Takeaways The Statewide Overdose Safety (SOS) Workgroup unites experts across California to strengthen the state's response to the overdose crisis. The group focuses on coordination, information sharing, and reducing fatal overdoses. Three sub-groups – Harm Reduction, Upstream Prevention, and Public Safety – lead focused efforts.

Key Takeaways

The Statewide Overdose Safety (SOS) Workgroup unites experts across California to strengthen the state's response to the overdose crisis.
The group focuses on coordination, information sharing, and reducing fatal overdoses.
Three sub-groups – Harm Reduction, Upstream Prevention, and Public Safety – lead focused efforts.

Statewide Overdose Safety (SOS) Workgroup

The Statewide Overdose Safety (SOS) Workgroup brings together experts from across California to strengthen the state's collective response to the drug overdose crisis. Guided by principles of equity, justice, and collaboration, the SOS Workgroup helps agencies understand current challenges, share information, and coordinate strategies to reduce the harms of substance use and overdose.

Goals

Strengthen coordination and information sharing among state partners.
Implement cross-cutting strategies to address overdose in California.
Reduce the number of fatal overdoses in California.

Sub-groups

To organize efforts and focus expertise, the SOS Workgroup includes three sub-groups, each addressing specific priorities.

Harm Reduction

Prevent overdose deaths through harm reduction approaches
Remove barriers to treatment, including access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and increase treatment retention
Support partner communications and networks in order to facilitate effective overdose prevention initiatives
Reduce stigma toward people who use drugs and promote participation in harm reduction strategies and treatment
Develop processes to address emerging drug contaminants, such as xylazine

Upstream Prevention

Focus on preventing substance use and overdose before they begin
Support partner communications and networks in order to facilitate effective overdose prevention initiatives
Collect and organize data from multiple agencies to better understand trends and needs
Identify opportunities to align across funding streams

Public Safety

Collect, organize, and share data and intelligence across agencies
Support partner communications and networks to facilitate effective overdose prevention initiatives
Address security and public health concerns related to illicit drugs and emerging drug contaminants, such as xylazine and medetomidine
Expand and support public safety programs that increase access to treatment services and overdose reversal medications
Destigmatize overdose prevention activities across public safety and partner sectors

For more information, please contact OPI@cdph.ca.gov

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