Combatting the Opioid Crisis 

Our Nation is in the Midst of an Unprecedented 

Opioid Epidemic 

This growing crisis is causing devastating e ̃ects on families, 

workplaces, the health care system, and communities. Recognizing the severity of the opioid epidemic, AmeriCorps has signiÿcantly increased its support of substance abuse prevention, 

education, and recovery programming as part of the federal 

government’s e ̃orts to combat the substance abuse and opioid 

crisis. 

AmeriCorps: Preventing and Reducing Opioid Abuse 

AmeriCorps is the federal agency connecting individuals and 

organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the 

nation’s most pressing challenges. We engage more than 

270,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers in results-driven service at more than 40,000 

locations across the country, including nonproÿts, schools, 

faith-based groups, and local agencies. For decades, 

AmeriCorps has supported positive youth development through 

mentoring, tutoring, after-school, and summer programs that 

help youth stay in school, graduate ready for college or career, 

and refrain from risky behaviors including substance abuse. 

Building on this track record, AmeriCorps has prioritized 

substance abuse prevention and reduction in its AmeriCorps and 

AmeriCorps Seniors programs. Working with 

Governor-appointed State Service Commissions and national 

and local organizations, AmeriCorps has substantially increased 

its investments in opioid and substance abuse projects. 

What is AmeriCorps? 

AmeriCorps is the only federal 

agency tasked with elevating service 

and volunteerism in America. We 

provide opportunities for people of 

all ages and backgrounds to give 

their time and talent to strengthen 

communities across our country. 

AmeriCorps Seniors highlights the 

service opportunities available to 

Americans 55 and older who want to 

make giving back their second act. 

By the Numbers 

AmeriCorps invested more than 

$14 million last year to support 

opioid-related programming. 

6,600 AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers delivered opioid 

intervention programming at nearly 

1,200 service sites across the 

country. 

AmeriCorps VISTA programs served 

nearly 630,000 adults and 123,000 

youth in opioid-related 

programming. 
Using AmeriCorps to Prevent and Some of the Ways AmeriCorps members 

Reduce Substance Abuse and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers are 

AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors Combatting the Opioid Crisis: 

volunteers are serving with nonproÿt groups, 

faith-based and community organizations, 

hospitals and health clinics, and state and local 

agencies across the country to provide drug 

abuse education, serve as recovery coaches, build 

capacity for anti-drug organizations, provide 

screening and assessments, establish state and 

local coalitions, prevent relapse and recidivism, 

and more. National service is a  ̨exible, 

cost-e ̃ective strategy to address local 

community needs. Organizations working to 

combat the opioid crisis are using AmeriCorps 

resources through a variety of program models to 

expand the reach and impact of substance 

education, prevention, and recovery e ̃orts. 

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Serving with Police Departments 

to Prevent Overdoses and Relapse 

Providing Drug Abuse Prevention 

and Education 

Building the Capacity of Drug 

Treatment and Recovery 

Organizations 

Supporting Safe Disposal of 

Prescription Drugs 

Serving as Recovery Coaches to 

Help Individuals Overcome 

Addiction 

Improving Opportunities for 

Employment for Those in 

Recovery 

Providing Substance Abuse 

Screening and Assessments 

AmeriCorps.gov

@AmeriCorps @AmeriCorpsSr