In 2015, more than 400 people in New Hampshire died as a result of drug overdose, 2 ½ times more overdoses than in 2011. The majority of those overdoses were related to opioids.

The term “opioids” refers to prescription medications used to relieve pain as well as illegal drugs such as heroin. Opioids are highly addictive. In New Hampshire, and across the United States, there is an opioid addiction crisis. This crisis includes heroin, street fentanyl, other illicit opioids, and the misuse of prescription drugs.

The repercussions of this crisis are many, including overdose deaths, self-neglect and neglect of loved ones, child and elder abuse, newborns experiencing withdrawal, unemployment, homelessness, and health effects such as HIV, Hepatitis C, liver damage and heart problems. The opioid addiction crisis in New Hampshire crosses socioeconomic levels and has affected the life of every resident.

While the consequences of opioid addiction can be devastating, many people can and do recover, improving their health and wellness, living a self-directed life and striving to reach their full potential.

In August 2016, Governor Maggie Hassan and James Vara, the Governor’s Advisor on Addiction and Behavioral Health, released The Opiate/Opioid Public Health Crisis , a report updating the State of New Hampshire’s comprehensive response to the crisis. The report highlights an array of new and leveraged strategies that together will help address the crisis for individuals, families, and communities.

The State’s challenge and focus in the short term, and ultimately in the coming years, will be implementing those initiatives, building upon them, and ensuring sufficient state and federal funding for those efforts moving forward.

Under the direction of the Governor’s Office, many agencies, organizations, and individuals are working to alleviate this pressing situation. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services is actively working with partners to raise awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse, increase availability of the overdose reversal medication naloxone, increase the types and availability of treatment services, and support the development of more recovery supports.

In response to the crisis, DHHS has worked to develop and expedite contracts with a wide range of substance abuse providers across the state to ensure access to critical prevention, treatment and recovery services. Since January 2016, DHHS has brought forward, and the Governor and Executive Council have approved, some $24 million in contracts for substance misuse prevention, treatment and recovery services.

Summary of Governor and Council Approved Contracts for Substance Abuse, Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

• DHHS Data
  • Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data
  • NH Wisdom Opioid Use Data
  • The Facts About NH’s Heroin, Fentanyl and Other Opioid Crisis
  • NH Drug and Alcohol Data, BDAS
• DHHS Resources
  • NH Treatment Locator
  • Naloxone Kits Locator
  • DHHS Continuum of Care
  • DHHS Prevention Services
  • DHHS Treatment Services
  • Collective Action, Collective Impact: NH’s Strategy for Reducing the Misuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs and Promoting Recovery
  • Resource Guide: Promoting Prevention and Recovery
  • Anyone. Anytime. Campaign
  • Medication Assisted Treatment Services Guidance
  • Comprehensive Actions to Address the Opioid Overdose Crisis
  • NH Center for Excellence, Resource for Best Practices in Alcohol and Other Drug Services

• NH Organizations Addressing Substance Misuse
  • DHHS Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services
  • Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery
  • NH Drug Monitoring Initiative
  • Drug Free New Hampshire
  • NH Center for Excellence, Resource for Best Practices in Alcohol and Other Drug Services
• DHHS Health Alerts
  • Opioid Misuse Response in New Hampshire: Update 2 Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol

Adobe Acrobat Reader format. You can download a free reader from Adobe.