Get Narcan

Naloxone

Be Safe

Prevention Information

Risk Of

Mixing Drugs/Fentanyl

Map to Get Treatment

MAT/MOUD

Get Narcan

Naloxone

Risk of

Mixing Drugs/Fentanyl

Be Safe

Prevention Information

Get Help Now 988 logo

For medical emergencies, call 911

For mental health emergencies, call or text 988

For opioid medication treatment, click here

Stop the Stigma

Anyone can become dependent on drugs and struggle with addiction.

Family, friends, and the public often have negative feelings about drug use or behavior. Addiction is not a moral failing and we need to remember that we can all change the conversation and decrease the stigma around drug use and addiction. People with a substance use disorder have a chronic disease of the brain that can be successfully treated, but stigma negatively impacts a person’s willingness to get treatment or health care and can cause significant self-esteem and mental health issue.

No one likes to feel judged or devalued. We must reduce the stigma to encourage people to ask for help and recovery.

  • Offer compassionate support.
  • Display kindness to people in vulnerable situations.
  • Listen while withholding judgment.
  • See a person for who they are, not what drugs they use.
  • Learn about how drug dependency works.
  • Treat people with drug dependency with dignity and respect.
  • Avoid hurtful labels.
  • Replace negative attitudes with evidence-based facts.
  • Speak up when you see someone mistreated because of their drug use.