OBJECTIVE

These trainings/videos provide an overview of cultural responsiveness, current insights around overdose in communities of color and youth populations in Massachusetts, and how culture impacts post-overdose outreach strategies. These trainings have been developed in conjunction with our Toolkit Development Group members and our advisory board members.

OBJECTIVE

This infographic is intended for outreach staff and public safety partners to facilitate discussions about how outreach will be conducted. Pre-visit discussions can help teams customize their approach for each outreach visit, ensure the correct outreach staff are present (to account for things such as language barriers), and promote a safe and positive encounter.

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OBJECTIVE

This infographic is intended to promote open discussion between public health and public safety partners about how post-overdose outreach services will be conducted. The aim of this toolkit item is to support the development of formal and informal policies and procedures to guide outreach services. It covers topics such as team member roles, warrant checking, separating outreach from law enforcement activities, and minimizing harm and unintended consequences for overdose survivors.

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OBJECTIVE

Post-overdose outreach is mostly reactive; a person overdoses which triggers a team to respond to offer services. This toolkit item offers a proactive approach outreach workers can use to identify high-risk areas within their communities for cocaine or methamphetamine-related overdose. With the proliferation of fentanyl into the cocaine and counterfeit pill supply, people who may not normally engage with naloxone distribution programs are at risk of an accidental opioid overdose. Having conversations with community partners about where naloxone can be made available is a method of engaging people in high-risk areas. One possible method is to use NaloxBoxes in areas known to have overdoses.

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Community Accessible Naloxone Resources

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NaloxBox-Specific Resources

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OBJECTIVE

A Tabletop Exercise (TTX) is a tool used by emergency managers to assist communities in preparing for a variety of disasters, pandemics, or other catastrophic situations. Stakeholders from all segments of the community are gathered to plan a response to an identified threat. In this exercise, we use the example of fentanyl-contaminated cocaine spreading through a community. By centering harm reductionists as the experts on overdose, this TTX will help communities plan a response that centers the perspective of people who use drugs. Communities will work through a multi-module, multimedia experience and work together to produce actionable solutions. An after-action report (AAR) will be developed at the end of the exercise and provided back to the community.

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OBJECTIVE

Using generic, plain brown paper bags is a recommended approach to discreetly distribute harm reduction materials to overdose survivors. This method increases privacy for the overdose survivor. Family members or friends may become suspicious, so use with caution and be prepared for questions. You should reiterate that these are generic bags that the team gives to everyone. This toolkit item identifies possible harm reduction items that can be included in the bag, but we recommend that the contents of the bag reflect the specific needs of each survivor. 

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OBJECTIVE

This document identifies settings and sectors that post-overdose outreach programs can engage with in their communities to build partnerships. The toolkit item shows where cocaine or methamphetamine use and overdoses frequently occur or where community stakeholders may be present. These may be some of the most effective places for outreach. It is recommended that post-overdose outreach organizations build relationships and engage with community members, specifically in these locations, to learn more about the community, build community trust, encourage referrals for support, and provide education on overdose prevention and response to the people who work or volunteer in these settings. Post-overdose outreach programs should center themselves as the experts in their community on substance use and overdose. The areas/locations with the highest number of overdoses varies between communities. Post-overdose outreach programs should consider other, community-specific locations and sectors to build partnerships. An implementation worksheet is also included which can be used to brainstorm with partners about intended future outreach efforts.

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