United States

To address health inequities in Native communities, Vital Strategies has partnered with the New Mexico Tribal Behavioral Health Providers Association and Americans for Indian Opportunity to launch a funding initiative that will distribute $1.68 million to Native nations, Tribal health programs, Native-led organizations, and Native-focused initiatives.

Organizers of the “You Have the Power to Save Lives” campaign shared new data, stories, and lessons on how the initiative is driving awareness and access to naloxone in Black communities. Watch the recorded press conference to hear directly from community leaders and learn how more cities can get involved.

Organizers of the “You Have the Power to Save Lives” campaign shared new data, stories, and lessons on how the initiative is driving awareness and access to naloxone in Black communities. Watch the recorded press conference to hear directly from community leaders and learn how more cities can get involved.

Vital Strategies’ You Have the Power to Save Lives campaign is helping reduce overdose deaths in Black communities by raising awareness and expanding access to naloxone in cities across the U.S. With new partners in Charlotte and Las Vegas, the campaign has already reached hundreds of thousands of people and is inspiring communities nationwide to join the life-saving effort.

In 2024, the U.S. notably saw an almost 27% reduction in overdose deaths. However, rates of fatal overdose remain high among Indigenous populations, in Wisconsin and in the US overall, and resources are difficult to access in rural areas of the state.   

"Everyone must realize that they need to have naloxone on them to save a life.”

To ensure this trajectory continues, we must continue improving access and availability to prevention, care, and treatment, and invest in local partnerships to help eliminate disparities.

The campaign, led by Vital Strategies, a global health organization, is expanding the availability of naloxone in seven cities across the United States: Albuquerque, NM; Newark, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Durham, NC; Louisville, KY; Detroit, MI; and Milwaukee, WI.

The hosts have hit the radio airwaves with strong messages advocating for Black communities to get free naloxone, available in their neighborhoods.