Media

Why reporting on overdose matters

Accurate and thoughtful reporting on opioid overdose can help reduce the stigma of substance use disorder and overdose—and encourage people to seek help and offer help to those affected by the opioid crisis. When reporters are careful not to sensationalize overdose experiences, and instead lead with empathy and hope, they help limit isolation and empower the community to effectively respond to opioid overdose.  

 

An opioid overdose can happen to anyone, anytime

  • Anyone who takes opioids—with or without a prescription—can become physically dependent and accidentally overdose.

  • Opioid addiction is a medical problem. People become physically dependent on opioids and need specialized medical intervention to recover.

  • Most overdoses are accidental, not intentional. People who take opioids don’t want to die.

  • Any opioid can cause an overdose, even painkillers that are prescribed by a doctor. And the risk of overdose can increase when opioids are mixed with other medications or alcohol.

What it looks like 

DO: Report on substance use disorder and overdose as a public health issue. DON’T: Investigate and report on overdose similar to reporting on crimes.
DO: Look for opportunities to cover overdoses that have been reversed with naloxone, and recovery that happened as a result. DON’T: Only cover overdose deaths and/or spikes in overdoses.
DO: Talk about the risks of overdose associated with taking any opioid, including prescription painkillers. Emphasize that anyone who takes opioids, with or without a prescription is at risk of overdosing. DON’T: Talk about drug potency as a primary factor in the overdose, or specific drug types like fentanyl (which has been shown to unintentionally drive drug-seeking behavior).
DO: Provide readers and viewers with resources and strategies for reducing risk of overdose. These strategies include: halving the hit, using with a friend, and not mixing opioids with other drugs or alcohol. DON’T: Assume readers or viewers are not taking opioids or at risk of overdosing, particularly when there is increased availability of high-potency illicit opioids like fentanyl.
DO: Tell the story from the perspective of bystander who used naloxone to save a life. DON’T: Interview only uniformed first responders, family and friends of the person who died from an overdose.
DO: Tell the backstory of what led to the overdose, including, if possible, how the person started using opioids in the first place. DON’T: Describe an overdose as sudden and unexpected or the result of a poor choice.
DO: Help people understand the signs of addiction, alternatives to opioids, and resources for recovery and naloxone training that can prevent opioid dependence and overdose in the future. DON’T: Cover only the overdose as an event that happened in the past.
DO: Use school/work or family photo, and include resources for recovery and/or obtaining naloxone. DON’T: Use photos/videos of the person overdosing or being saved, the location of death, or grieving family friends, memorials or funerals.