ROPS (Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists)

This program is provided through a grant at the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services which is designed to increase awareness across Tennessee on the dangers of opioids and stimulants, and the available resources for opioid overdose prevention.

Training is provided to anyone in Tennessee at no charge through Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) who reach all 95 counties. ROPS provide training to individuals and groups on the substance misuse in Tennessee, the brain science of addiction, and how to recognize and respond to an overdose, including how to use the life-saving drug naloxone. Information is also presented on how to get naloxone. This training certifies an individual under the Tennessee Good Samaritan Law.

This program provides naloxone to eligible individuals as designated by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. 

To be eligible for a naloxone kit through this program, an individual must be risk for an opioid overdose and cannot get naloxone through other resources, such as insurance.

Naloxone cannot be provided to agencies to distribute on behalf of Tennessee Save a Life. If an agency works with an individual who they identify as potentially eligible for a naloxone kit, they can connect the individual to the Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) for additional information.

To locate a Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist in your county, please use this link.