New York Provides Free Overdose Emergency Kits to Domestic Violence Shelters

Domestic violence shelters and service providers across New York State now have access to free Overdose Emergency Kits. This initiative is a partnership between the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The kits are provided through Project COPE (Community Overdose Prevention Education), funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Addressing the Opioid and Overdose Epidemic

“The opioid and overdose epidemic has impacted far too many New Yorkers. Alongside harm reduction, preventive, and treatment support programs, the expanded access to lifesaving overdose emergency kits in domestic violence programs will save lives,” according to officials. Over the past 18 months, New York has distributed nearly 700,000 Overdose Emergency Kits statewide, many through New York’s first-in-the-nation online ordering portal.

How Overdose Emergency Kits Work

An Overdose Emergency Kit is a wall-mounted metal box containing naloxone, a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. The kits will be placed in residential domestic violence shelters, providing access to this lifesaving medication for residents and staff. Each kit also includes training resources for administering naloxone. Additionally, Project COPE offers free training for domestic violence program staff on harm reduction and overdose prevention.

The Link Between Domestic Violence and Substance Use

Research shows a strong correlation between domestic violence and substance use. Substance use coercion is a prevalent but underrecognized form of abuse, posing a significant danger to survivors. Many survivors use substances to cope with trauma and physical harm, increasing their risk of overdose. Social stigmas towards both survivors and substance use create barriers to accessing care, making it difficult for survivors to obtain lifesaving tools like naloxone. Domestic violence programs can bridge this gap by offering naloxone onsite.

For New Yorkers struggling with addiction, help is available through the state’s toll-free, 24-hour HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

New York Provides Free Overdose Emergency Kits to Domestic Violence Shelters