Youth overdose is a community problem.
So we’re building a community response.
The Youth Overdose/Opioid Task Force (YOOT) brings together young people, families, educators, healthcare providers, researchers, community organizations, and people with lived experience to reduce youth overdose by addressing its root causes.
We believe the best solutions are built with communities,
not simply delivered to them.
A Different Way of Working
There is no single organization, profession, or program that can solve youth overdose alone.
YOOT exists because meaningful change happens when people with different experiences sit at the same table, listen deeply, share what they know, and work together toward common goals.
Every quarter, our coalition comes together to learn, build relationships, share progress, and launch new collaborations. Between meetings, members continue that work through research, education, advocacy, community events, and partnership.
This isn’t just another meeting.
It’s a growing movement of people committed to helping young people thrive.
To reduce youth overdose in Memphis and Shelby County by bringing our community together to understand and address its root causes through research, education, collaboration, and action.
Our Three Priorities
The best solutions begin by asking the right questions. During our first year, YOOT members explored the data, centered the voices of young people and people with lived experience, and identified the areas where our community could make the greatest impact. Those conversations became the three priorities that continue to guide our work today.
Safe, Fun, Supervised Spaces
Young people need places where they feel connected, supported, and valued. We’re working to better understand what those spaces look like and how our community can create more of them.
Addressing Undiagnosed
Mental Illness
Many young people use substances in an attempt to cope with trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, or other unmet mental health needs. We work to reduce stigma, improve awareness, strengthen connections to care, and support healthier pathways to healing.
Honest, Youth-Centered
Drug Education
Young people deserve accurate, relevant, evidence-based information delivered in ways they trust. We’re partnering with schools and community organizations to improve overdose prevention education and awareness.
How We Work
Everything we do is grounded in 4 simple ideas.
Listen
We begin by listening to young people, families, professionals, and people with lived experience.
Build
Together we create partnerships, programs, resources, research projects, and educational opportunities that respond to community needs.
Learn
We combine community knowledge with research and data to better understand the challenges facing our youth.
Share
We share what we learn so others can join the work, strengthen existing efforts, and help create lasting change.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a young person, parent, educator, healthcare provider, researcher, nonprofit leader, or simply someone who cares about young people, there is a place for you in this work.
Join us at an upcoming meeting, connect your organization, volunteer on a project, or help us spread the word.
The most meaningful change happens when communities build it together.