Exploring Effective Post-Opioid Overdose Reversal Responses for Law Enforcement and Other First Responders

The opioid crisis devastating communities has prompted health and justice practitioners to seek and implement innovative and effective approaches to managing substance use disorder and threat of overdose. A crisis of this magnitude requires use of promising and evidence-based strategies at multiple intervention points as part of a comprehensive plan to aid in the treatment of and recovery from opioid use disorders. Engagement post-naloxone administration can be used as one of many approaches to reduce the impact of the opioid crisis. The Naloxone Plus framework serves as a guide to engaging residents after overdose and revival through use of naloxone. Multidisciplinary police efforts involving fire department personnel, paramedics, public health and substance use treatment providers, recovery coaches, support groups, volunteers, and the faith-based community serve as another pathway for individuals in need of substance use disorder treatment.