ADDRESSING THE OPIOID CRISIS TOGETHER

The Impact of Opioids in the Community

In May 2024, the Town of Essex Selectboard committed to a goal of conducting public outreach on drug and overdose issues. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths remain a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. The majority of overdose deaths involve opioids. Deaths involving synthetic opioids (largely illicitly made fentanyl) and stimulants (such as cocaine and methamphetamine) have increased in recent years. In addition, overdose deaths accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.1

Timely data help improve coordination and promote readiness among health departments, community members, healthcare providers, public health, law enforcement, and government agencies, for regional or multiple state overdose increases. 

Let's Talk About Opioids

Our local communities held a forum in September 2025 to bring people together for dinner and discussion.

Let's Talk About Opioids

  1. 2025 Report on Initiative to Address the Opioid Crisis

    In February 2026 the Selectboard received a report on the 2025 activity for the opioid misuse prevention initiative and the current status of settlement funds.

  2. Where's the money going?

    Since 2022, millions of dollars have been flowing into Vermont from private companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis. Where's the money going? Read on...

  3. Did you attend "Let's Talk About Opioids" Community Dinner & Forum?

    Tell us what you thought about the event! Read on...
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Naloxone

If you are dealing with an emergency, DIAL 9-1-1 immediately.

What is it and how does it work?

Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine.2

How is naloxone given?

Naloxone should be given to any person who shows signs of an opioid overdose or when an overdose is suspected. Naloxone can be given as a nasal spray or it can be injected into the muscle, under the skin, or into the veins. Steps for responding to an opioid overdose can be found in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit.2

The Vermont Department of Health provides naloxone (Narcan®) and training through collaborations with community-based organizations. These partners distribute naloxone and provide overdose response training, opioid misuse prevention training and referrals to treatment across Vermont.

People who should carry naloxone:

  • People who use opioid drugs (either prescribed or illicit)
  • Those who interact with people who use drugs (like friends, family, and emergency personnel)
  • If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid use disorder or is in treatment, you can get naloxone to carry or keep in your first aid kit at one of the distribution sites listed below.
LOCATIONAGENCYCONTACT/ADDRESS
Essex (free, anonymous pick-up)Essex Free Library1 Browns River Road
Essex, VT 05452
BurlingtonTurning Point of Chittenden County191 Bank Street, Suite 200
Burlington, VT 05401
802-861-3150
South BurlingtonHoward Center - Chittenden Clinic75 San Remo Drive
South Burlington, VT 05403
802-488-6450


The Vermont Department of Health is providing people living in Vermont with the option to request a free Narcan® Kit be shipped to their home or PO Box. These kits include 2 doses of 4 mg Narcan®, written instructions on how to use Narcan®, 10 fentanyl test strips and instructions for use, and information on VT Helplink.

1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2National Institute on Drug Abuse, Naloxone Drug Facts

Call text Chat 988 Suicide and crisis lifeline
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Vermont Department of Health

Recovery Rockstars

Join host Melinda White as she talks with survivors of drug addiction, and what it took for them to become Recovery Rockstars.

Recovery Rockstars

Town Meeting TV

Addiction Recovery Channel 
with Host Ed Baker, MSW

Addiction Recovery Channel

Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program

Fully virtual recovery support!

United Counseling Services - Building a Stronger Community

Community Resource Guide

Community Resources Guide June 2024

Free Narcan Request Form

Vermont's Opioid Overdose Response Initiatives

The Vermont Department of Health, Divisions of Substance Use Program (DSU), Emergency Preparedness and Response and Injury Prevention (DEPRIP), and Laboratory Sciences and Infectious Disease (LSID) have strengthened their partnership to address the increasing number of opioid overdoses. Representatives from these divisions meet regularly to discuss and address challenges and gaps in services, to identify solutions and to support our community organizations in rapid response and long-term planning.

KEY POINTS

  • Improving access and reducing barriers to services 
  • Multifaceted & comprehensive approach
  • Meeting people where they are at

Projects & Initiatives Feedback

  2. Your feedback is important.

    Your feedback on this form will be directed to town staff. If you would like a response, please be sure to include your name and email address.

    If you wish to provide feedback directly to Selectboard members, please consider attending the next meeting to be heard. If you prefer to email Selectboard members, please send an email to selectboard@essex.org.  

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  12. Thank you for your valuable feedback!
  14. VERMONT PUBLIC RECORDS LAW

    Under Vermont's Public Records Act, 1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320, any person has the right to request inspection or copying of a public record from government agencies, including municipalities. 

    Documents in the possession of public officials for municipal business are classified as public records and are available to the public unless excluded under the Public Records Act. 

    Applicants are discouraged from submitting information considered proprietary, trade secrets, or confidential.

    Please note, some information in a public record may be redacted, narrowed, or denied in accordance with State law if it could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (e.g. email address, phone number).

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Contact Information

Tammy Getchell, Public Information Officer

tgetchell@essex.org

Selectboard Strategic Plan Goal:

Be responsive to the impact of opioids in the community. 

Relevant Selectboard Values: Inclusivity