This is a report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse that provides proven and promising strategies from a range of evidence-based resources, thus offering a clear and concise set of actions that states can take. Its aim is to help state policymakers understand what a public health approach looks like and how best to implement one.

This document seeks to arm policymakers with the information they need to replace misinformation and stigma with research-based facts and practical, health-based solutions. There is a wide array of existing state initiatives highlighted. 

This is an academic paper that reviews the literature on including people who use drugs (PWUD) as part of research, intervention development and implementation, and policy advocacy. The barriers of stigma and discrimination must be addressed to improve engagement of PWUD in the decision-making process, though this population brings a critical skill set and unique perspective to the table. 

This academic paper summarizes a peer recovery support program to engage individuals using opioids and link them with a range of services. Results show that this program effectively engaged and linked individuals to mental health and treatment services. 

This is an academic paper that provides commentary on how stigma stymies progress across the entire continuum of care - prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. Federal and state initiatives to alleviate stigma are discussed. 

This is a report from Arnold Ventures and Carnevale consisting of a team of researchers that organizes what is known about public health-related services, programs, and strategies that have the strongest evidence for effectively putting abatement funds to work that may be the result of future opioid litigation settlements. Each intervention is classified by level of evidence and are represented across the continuum of care. 

This CDC report is designed to assist a wide range of stakeholders in understanding and navigating effective strategies to prevent opioid overdose in their communities. It provides evidence for specific opioid policies and strategies and discusses existing implementation of these interventions in communities. 

This study examines state approaches to opioid health homes (OHH) and uses a retrospective analysis to identify facilitators and barriers to the program's implementation from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.

The OHH model appears to have the potential to effectively address the complex needs of individuals with opioid use disorder by providing whole-person care that integrates medical care, behavioral health, and social services and supports. The experiences of Maryland, Rhode Island, and Vermont can guide the development and implementation of similar OHH initiatives in other states.

This is a report from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) that presents findings from a qualitative study that explores the unique challenges, joys, and experiences of peer recovery coaches (PRCs) across the US. Through a better understanding of the PRCs’ roles, this research aims to identify support opportunities for the population, such as workforce development, the certification process, and measures of success.

The Faces and Voices of Recovery website offers access to information and data on recovery from substance use disorders.

This comprehensive report from the Surgeon General addresses the entire continuum of care for substance use disorder (SUD) including chapters on prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery. There are also chapters on the neurobiology of SUD, the healthcare system, and specific suggestions for key stakeholders. The appendices at the end of the report contain many links to helpful resources. 

This special release by the Surgeon General is an extension of the previous comprehensive report on substance use disorders, highlighting extensive opioid-related information in one document. It provides the latest data on prevalence of substance use, opioid misuse, opioid use disorders, opioid overdoses, and related harms. There are additional resources embedded throughout the report. 

 An ONDCP/USDA document that provides a comprehensive and expansive list of resources organized by 26 different categories and also lists various funding opportunities to address the opioid crisis across the continuum of care.