Central ND News

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) will observe International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, joining communities statewide and globally to remember those lost to overdose, support affected families, and highlight efforts aimed at preventing substance use harms.

Officials emphasize that overdoses can affect anyone. Immediate action is critical if someone shows signs such as unresponsiveness, slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or fingertips, gurgling or choking sounds, or a limp body. In these situations, people are urged to call 911 and administer naloxone if available. North Dakota’s Good Samaritan Law offers legal protection for individuals who seek help or assist during an overdose emergency.

Naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, is widely accessible in North Dakota. It can be obtained at most pharmacies and local public health units without a prescription, over the counter, or for free from HHS by requesting a two-dose kit online at hhs.nd.gov/opioids or by calling (701) 328-8920. From July 2024 through June 2025, more than 33,000 naloxone kits were distributed across the state with over 870 reported overdose reversals.

“Every reversal represents a person, a future, a chance to recover,” said Amy Lies, HHS opioid addiction administrator. “We’re proud to walk with North Dakotans through prevention, crisis response and long-term healing.”

Between 2021 and 2024, North Dakota recorded 497 overdose deaths—106 of them in 2024 alone. Despite these losses, officials note that coordinated prevention efforts and increased access to resources like naloxone have contributed to progress; overdose deaths declined by just over 22 percent between 2022 and 2024.

The state continues to expand its network of care through eight regional behavioral health clinics and four licensed opioid treatment programs in addition to private and community-based providers. Recovery Talk provides free confidential peer support around the clock via phone or text at (701) 291-7901 or online at hhs.nd.gov/recovery-talk. Additional behavioral health services can be found at hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health/find-services.

On July 1 this year, North Dakota agencies received $8 million in Opioid Settlement Fund grants intended to strengthen prevention initiatives, treatment options, recovery supports and the behavioral health workforce. Since last year nearly 3,500 residents have benefited from expanded programs funded by these grants. More information about the settlement fund is available at hhs.nd.gov/opioids/settlement.