A major new public health campaign targeting overdose deaths in Black communities will officially launch this Wednesday, March 26 at 1 p.m., and Durham is one of just seven U.S. cities taking part. The You Have the Power to Save Lives campaign will be introduced through a virtual press conference featuring local and national leaders, including Durham’s own Dr. Wanda Boone, founder of Together for Resilient Youth.
Backed by Vital Strategies and the National Black Harm Reduction Network, the campaign focuses on increasing access to naloxone – a safe, easy-to-use nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses – and delivering life-saving resources directly into Black neighborhoods. The centerpiece is a new website, YouCanSaveLives.org, which provides local naloxone pickup locations, stories from families affected by overdose, and opportunities for community action.
Durham is facing a critical moment. Black residents make up 39% of the county’s population, but in 2024, they accounted for nearly two-thirds of all overdose-related hospital admissions, according to a recent data brief released by the campaign. Despite a 24% national decline in overdose deaths last year, overdose rates among Black Americans – especially men aged 31 to 47 – are projected to double between 2020 and 2025.
“This isn’t just about statistics – it’s about our neighbors, our families,” said Dr. Boone, who will speak at the kickoff event. “We need strategies that center our communities, and naloxone is one tool that can save lives today.”
The campaign also highlights deep racial disparities in overdose deaths. Black individuals are more likely to die from overdose but less likely to receive substance use treatment, largely due to structural barriers like stigma, lack of culturally specific services, and healthcare distrust rooted in historical discrimination.
Along with Durham, campaign activities are launching in Louisville, Detroit, Newark, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Albuquerque. Local efforts include community outreach, advertising, and partnerships with Black-led organizations to distribute naloxone for free and train residents in how to use it.
The virtual launch will include speakers from across the country – public health experts, local advocates, and families who have lost loved ones to overdose – including Kimberly Douglas, who is creating a support network for Black mothers grieving their children. Register for the event launch at this link.
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