Additional FAQs
When facilitating OEND groups is it best to say someone is unresponsive or say it’s an overdose?
This question is a topic for overdose prevention education and response trainings. The answer depends on the local relationship with the 911 emergency response system. In some communities, there is widespread belief that reporting an overdose to the 911 dispatcher may result in a slower response, whereas in other communities reporting an overdose to the 911 will result in a more rapid response. So this is best determined by dialogue with local overdose survivors, service providers, and the local 911 dispatch system.
How can post overdose outreach programs expand their scope to be helpful to people who use drugs other than opioids or in addition to opioids?
The Best Practice Guidance acknowledges this question as one for Further Development and Research:
Overdose deaths involving stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamine, have been surging. Further research and program development are warranted to understand how post-overdose outreach programs can be adapted to engage and help people who use stimulants.
Where can more information on programs that utilize Fire and EMS services be found?
This scoping review includes additional information on programs using different staffing models, including Fire and EMS.
Bailey A, Harrington C, Evans EA. A scoping review of community-based post-opioid overdose intervention programs: implications of program structure and outcomes. Health Justice. 2023 Jan 28;11(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s40352-022-00201-w. PMID: 36707446; PMCID: PMC9883127.
Weblink: https://healthandjusticejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40352-022-00201-w
There are multiple Fire Station-based programs in New Hampshire:
Moore SK, Saunders EC, McLeman B, Metcalf SA, Walsh O, Bell K, Meier A, Marsch LA. Implementation of a New Hampshire community-initiated response to the opioid crisis: A mixed-methods process evaluation of Safe Station. Int J Drug Policy. 2021 Sep;95:103259. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103259. Epub 2021 Apr 29. PMID: 33933923; PMCID: PMC8530836.
Weblink: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095539592100164X
What is the best way to reduce unintended harm when engaging with communities and survivors?
This is a key question for programs to monitor as they implement. The Best Practice Guidance acknowledges the potential for unintended harms in the recommendations pertaining to the involvement of law enforcement discussed above. In addition, there are also unintended harms that may come from other services and institutions.
This was noted in the “Areas for Further Development and Research”:
Overdose survivors and their families face institutional stigmatization and criminalization, not only from law enforcement and the court systems, but also in the medical, addiction treatment, and social service systems. The expert panel did not focus directly on the bias within these systems. They warrant attention in the future to make them more accessible and effective for overdose survivors and their families.