A Dose of Truth | Get Support and Reduce Risks of Opioids

What To Do If Someone Is Unconscious

Call 911 immediately for emergency responder support. Lay the person on their side in the recovery position until responders arrive. If you have it, use naloxone (Narcan®).

Strategies for Safer Use

Identify practical steps to better protect yourself and those around you. Find harm reduction tools and services here.

Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances

Get free, confidential help for you or someone you know who is using or struggling with substance use. The Illinois Helpline offers 24/7 support from trained specialists that can guide you to treatment options that are best for you.

What to Do with Leftover Pills

Holding onto leftover pills dramatically increases the likelihood that you or a loved one will misuse pills and can accidentally provide access to others. Learn how to safely dispose of leftover pills here.

More Illinois Information for Prevention and Recovery

The Illinois Department of Human Services Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS SUPR) is working to reduce the impact of the opioid epidemic on the state of Illinois. For additional resources and local information, please visit the IDHS SUPR’s resource page.

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SUDORS Dashboard: Fatal Drug Overdose Data. (2024). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/data-research/facts-stats/sudors-dashboard-fatal-overdose-data.html
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Increasing Nitazene and Orphine Analogues (Synthetic Opioids) and the Implications for the Use of Test Strips. (2026, February 25). UNODC Laboratory and Scientific Service. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.unodc.org/LSS/Announcement/Details/e69b2ff5-5b91-4eea-8e1f-802ca7ad5080
US National Library of Medicine: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000013.htm#:~:text=Time%20is%20
Recognizing and Responding to an Opioid Overdose. (n.d.). Illinois Department of Human Services. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=95360
Naloxone Drug Facts. (n.d.). National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone
The Risks and Consequences of Polysubstance Use (Podcast Transcript). (2023, August 20). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-resources/search/transcripts/CDC-Podcast-The-Risks-and-Consequences-of-Polysubstance-Use_audio-transcript.html
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About Prescription Opioids. (2025, June 10). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/prescription-opioids.html
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