Trauma informed overdose response pathways - project and population to be served: the lancaster county drug and alcohol commission recognizes the devastating impact of opioid use disorder has on our…

Trauma informed overdose response pathways - project and population to be served: the lancaster county drug and alcohol commission recognizes the devastating impact of opioid use disorder has on our community. The lcdac will focus its efforts on first responder (FR) trauma-informed education and training and creating clear pathways to treatment and resources for overdose survivors and their family members, including children. Between 1.2020 and 9.2021, lancaster county FR responded to 1,129 dispatches involving naloxone or overdose response. In lancaster county, the opioid crisis got worse with the onset of the pandemic and overdoses increased by 44%. At least 25% of the US population belongs to a family affected by an addiction disorder in a first degree relative. The lcdac will partner again with lancaster general hospital (LGH) as its implementation partner to build on the work of its current samhsa FR cara award and address the impact of trauma on the populations of focus. The populations of focus for this project are: (1) people at risk for overdose in lancaster county, pennsylvania, particularly the most vulnerable populations (males ages 25-44 and black and hispanic/latino individuals); (2) adult loved ones and children of an individual affected by addiction are a population of focus; and (3) lancaster county first responders (FR) who will be trained on the role of trauma informed (TI) care during health emergencies with a goal to increase FR awareness of trauma's impact in the communities where they work. Each of these populations of focus have experienced or are experiencing trauma. TI care training provides FR with tools to understand where people's behavior comes from, communicate effectively with patients and bystanders (family/ children), build trust, and do the job to the best of their ability. Strategies: over the 4-year award period, the lcdac will train 1000 lancaster county first responders on carrying and administering naloxone; safety measures around fentanyl, carfentanil, and other dangerous drugs; and establishing policies and procedures for implementation of evidence-based TI care practices. The lcdac will also establish processes, protocols, and mechanisms for referral to appropriate treatment and resources for people at risk for overdose and their families. The project will engage the services of a certified recovery specialist and a certified family recovery specialist to provide support to the overdose survivors and any family, loved ones or children on scene at an overdose incident. Goals and measurement objectives: by the end of the project, the project team will (1) identify and formalize pathways to treatment and resources for overdose survivors, individuals seeking access to buprenorphine, family members, children and vulnerable populations (i.e. lgbtq+, veterans, non-english speakers).; (2) reduce barriers to treatment for 25% of overdose survivors seeking treatment; (3) increased self-rated hope as measured by the adult/ child hope scale; (4) educate 400 community members on the good samaritan law; and (5) trauma-informed overdose training will be embedded in 100% of EMS and law enforcement's onboarding policies and/ or annual training requirements. Number to be served annually/ total: the project will serve 900 FR (year 1- 150, year 2-200, year 3-250, year 4-300), at least 100 referred overdose survivors with 24-72 hours after overdose; and 400 community members with good samaritan education.