Men & Substance Use: The Disparities in

Fatal Overdoses

As we continue to cover issues impacting men's health, this week we are highlighting substance use in men. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs and they are also more like to die from an overdose.

Although overdose deaths have increased in every demographic group, the national death rate for black men more than tripled between 2015 and 2020, making it the largest increase of any group and surpassing the death rate for white men. When looking at the change one one year, the CDC states "From 2019 to 2020, overdose death rates increased by 44% and 39% among non-Hispanic Black (Black) and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native persons, respectively [on a national level]" Overdose death rates among Black men in 2020 were also 7 times higher than white men. What's notable is the groups that are dying at the highest rates don't have a history of a substance use disorder.


If the rate of substance use disorders isn't increasing, why are more people dying? Fentanyl. Illicitly made fentanyl (IMF) is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and it is the driving factor in the increase of fatal and non-fatal overdoses. In Connecticut, fentanyl was involved in 85% of overdose deaths (men and women) this year, however 73% of deaths were men. The death rates in our state have not followed the national trend; the majority of fatal overdoses are white men ages 25 - 64.


What Can We Do? Educate communities about substance use prevention and reinforce the dangers of fentanyl.

Prevention Strategies & Education Can Save Lives

The Hub is a partner for "You Think You Know," a statewide awareness campaign to educate teens and young adults about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. The website is filled with resources to help you keep your loved ones safe. Visit YouThinkYouKnowCT.org for more information. Download the new fentanyl fact sheet and talking tips sheet below. Be sure to follow them on social media and sign up for the monthly newsletter so you get the latest information.

Get a toolkit of FREE materials so you can spread the "You Think You Know" campaign in your town!

Overdose Prevention - Naloxone

Naloxone/Narcan™ programs have been established in numerous communities throughout the United States and continue to expand. The goal of these programs are to expand naloxone access to drug users and their loved ones, as well as those who take opiates for pain management, with training on overdose prevention, recognition, and response (including calling 911 and rescue breathing) in addition to prescribing and dispensing naloxone.

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Get Trained!


Attend a FREE virtual training with The Hub and be prepared to respond to an overdose situation. All participants will get a free naloxone kit. Trainings are offered twice a month. Register at TheHubCT.org/events

Register Now
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Fentanyl Test Strip Pilot - National Harm Reduction Coalition

In August 2017, in response to an increase in fentanyl in the drug supply in San Francisco, the DOPE Project partnered with the Syringe Access Collaborative (SAC) to pilot a fentanyl test strip monitoring survey.

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It's Transgender Awareness Week

Transgender Awareness Week: 10 Ways to Become an Ally


Gender identity is a person’s true, personal sense of being a man or woman, or a boy or girl. An individual who identifies as transgender is someone who does not align with the gender they were assigned to at birth. 


Transgender people who do not feel that their gender identity falls into the two binary categories of “man” or “woman” may describe themselves as non-binary. 

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Disclaimer: The Hub shares information and resources on a variety of behavioral health topics. We do not endorse specific events, policies or agencies

Articles & Resources

Greenwich Community Unites at 'Better Tomorrow' Vigil at Arch Street Teen Center

The "Better Tomorrow" vigil to increase awareness around mental health issues and addiction drew a crowd of almost 200 to the Arch Street Teen Center on Sunday. John Hamilton, director of Liberation Programs, said mental health challenges and substances use disorder challenges go hand-in-hand, and many people his organization serves have co-occurring issues where people use substances to medicate mental health issues.

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Talking with your kids early and often about underage drinking and other drug use can help keep them safe. But how do you know if your child needs more support, and where do you go to find it? The answer is Screen4Success, a new, user-friendly tool from SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.”® campaign designed to help parents and caregivers better understand the health, wellness, and wellbeing of their children and find resources to address their needs. Learn more.

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The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT

A division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP) 


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