Aug 24, 2026
The University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions and Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN) began collaboration in 2023 to release a Michigan landscape map and white paper. These resources highlighted demographic information in connection to opioid use disorder, looking at data such as EMS response rates, annual income, and opioid-related hospitalizations. The first iteration of this resource […]
Jul 13, 2026
U-M’s OPEN receives $1.5M state grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment access in rural Michigan While opioid overdose deaths across Michigan have decreased in recent years, opioid use disorder — or opioid addiction — remains a significant public health challenge, with rural communities often facing added barriers to treatment. A new University of Michigan-led […]
Jun 24, 2026
Hello, At OPEN, we believe harm reduction is a compassionate, person-centered approach that promotes both safety and dignity. Through our programs and resources, we strive to educate and support people who use drugs (PWUD), healthcare providers, and community leaders across Michigan. Our Naloxone Initiative emphasizes the importance of having naloxone readily available and empowers individuals to recognize and respond […]
Apr 20, 2026
Take Back Day is a coordinated day across the United States where communities partner with law enforcement to collect unneeded and unused medications for safe destruction. This effort helps to prevent accidental health risks. Creating safe and convenient opportunities for community members to dispose of unused and leftover medications is essential. Prevention can help turn […]
Mar 25, 2026
Hello OPEN, In 2025, OPEN made important strides in Michigan. We launched the OPEN Warmline service and have helped over 180 patients get buprenorphine. Painless: The Opioid Musical visited and performed in the Upper Peninsula for the first time ever. Over 14,000 naloxone kits were distributed to Michigan residents to help reverse an opioid overdose. As we look ahead into the rest of 2026, […]
Feb 23, 2026
After a successful year as the brand-new OPEN in 2024, our team knew that 2025 would yield even greater success. In 2025, OPEN published 16 brand new educational resources, including the Neurobiology of Addiction video, Safer Injection Pocket Guide, and the SUD Treatment Access Card. Along with this success, the OPEN Warmline was launched and […]
Feb 12, 2026
A patient, his doctor and other experts warn of dangers of 7-OH, which is touted as a derivative of kratom and is widely available, but packs far more opioid danger When Nathan B. got a free sample pill from his local smoke shop clerk, he never imagined that it would lead him to lose his […]
Jan 27, 2026
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Awareness Month (also known as SUD Treatment Month and SUD Treatment Awareness Month) was launched in January 2025 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in order to raise awareness on the impacts of SUD, highlight the importance of stigma reduction, and provide support. SUD is a chronic […]
Dec 17, 2025
Hello, Happy Holidays! As we enter this season of reflection and connection, we invite our community to come together to help reduce stigma—not only across our state, but around the world. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic illness that affects the brain, particularly areas involved in reward, motivation, and memory. The language we use when […]
Oct 28, 2025
Safe Storage and Disposal refers to the management of unused, unwanted, and expired medications in order to protect your family, community, and the environment. There are a variety of ways to practice safe storage and disposal, ranging from locking pill vials to medication deactivation bags. In order to help our community stay safe, OPEN offers […]
Sep 25, 2025
Model endorses use of an underused medication known to reduce overdose deaths by half A warmline that will quickly connect people with opioid use disorder to buprenorphine, a potentially lifesaving medication, will launch Sept. 29. The University of Michigan’s Overdose Prevention Engagement Network, or OPEN, developed the new service with support from the state of Michigan, […]
Sep 25, 2025
National Opioid Awareness Day on Sunday, Sept. 21 is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a reminder that while Michigan has made real progress against opioid overdoses, the crisis is far from over. We have to keep going. As an anesthesiologist, a physician specializing in anesthesia, I work with some of the […]
