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Substance Use & Drug Overdose

Substance use disorder (SUD), or addiction, is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Drugs cause physical changes in the brain that alter its structure and how it works. SUD is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Recovery is possible. And like other diseases, treatment for drug use and SUD not only saves lives, but is cost effective.  

Great strides have been made to reduce prescription opioid-related overdoses in Oklahoma, yet a drug overdose crisis remains. Methamphetamine and illicit fentanyl are currently the leading substances involved in drug overdoses. Preventing deaths and nonfatal overdoses, regardless of substance, requires a multifaceted approach rooted in collective action to address the range of social, economic, demographic, and environmental factors that influence substance use.

Prevention

Meth

(Methamphetamine)

Opioids

Marijuana

How to Get Help

We can act early to prevent the use and misuse of drugs that can lead to substance use disorders.  

Xylazine, also called “tranq” or “tranq dope,” is a nonopioid sedative and tranquilizer only authorized for veterinary use. Xylazine has been increasingly found in the illegal drug supply in the United States and is used as an adulterant (substance intentionally added to a drug) to prolong opioid highs and prevent withdrawal symptoms. Xylazine has been involved in growing numbers of overdose deaths, particularly in the northeast part of the United States. Although not a controlled substance, xylazine is not approved for use in humans and can be life threatening, especially when combined with opioids like fentanyl. 

When used in people, xylazine induces opioid-like effects and can cause prolonged sedation, disorientation, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and wounds that can become infected and hard to heal. 

People who use drugs may use xylazine intentionally for its extended effects and affordability, or unintentionally, when it is added to other drugs like opioids (most frequently fentanyl). It is difficult to detect as it has no distinctive taste, smell, color, or texture.

Harm reduction is a well-researched, evidence-based approach to reducing harms related to substance use, including overdose deaths, life-threatening infections related to unsterile drug injection, and chronic diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

To learn more about harm reduction, how to become a registered organization, or where harm reduction services are available, click here.

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Injury Prevention Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406

Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Injury Prevention Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK

Telephone: (405) 426-8440
Fax: (405) 900-7588
Email: injury@health.ok.gov