Our Story
Founded in 2018 by Tom McCarry and Virna Little, Zero Overdose emerged from a profound need to address the rising tide of unintentional overdoses. Their experience at a local correctional facility revealed a heartbreaking reality: individuals reentering society often faced fatal overdoses after relapse. This prompted the development of a comprehensive strategy aimed at educating these individuals about the risks associated with relapse.
Through the creation of the Overdose Risk Questionnaire and Safety Plan Template©, Zero Overdose has successfully implemented overdose safety planning in New York, New Jersey, and Montana. By 2020, the organization formalized its approach, providing training materials and resources designed to save lives. In 2021, Zero Overdose became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, expanding its mission to enhance overdose safety planning across healthcare systems and communities.
In 2023, the organization launched its first learning community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in collaboration with the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, and partnered with Levon Helm Studios to raise awareness among musicians affected by the opioid crisis. Looking ahead, Zero Overdose is excited to work with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to extend its initiatives to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and Community Behavioral Health Organizations.