This first report in a series from the National League of Cities focuses on how local leadership addresses the interrelated challenges of mental illness, substance use and homelessness. This report focuses on communities that have implemented innovative programs to divert individuals in crisis to treatment and services rather than law enforcement sanctions. Continue reading
Resource Tag: First Responders
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Recovery Month Toolkit: Join the Voices for Recovery
The toolkit for 2019 National Recovery Month from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2019’s Recovery Month Theme is Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger. This toolkit includes information and resources for developing recovery month outreach strategies for four target audiences: community members, first responders, healthcare community members, and youth and emerging leaders. There is also a section with resources and information about treatment and recovery support services. Continue reading
Model Universal Access to Naloxone Act (3rd edition)
This 2019 model universal access to naloxone act is designed to help state legislatures craft legislation to increase prescribing, dispensing, and use of naloxone to reduce opioid overdose deaths. Created by the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws, it addresses multiple subjects including statewide standing orders, co-prescribing of naloxone with prescription opioids, distribution of naloxone by first responders, correctional facilities, and community organizations, and other essential legislative clauses. Continue reading
Model Act Providing for Warm Hand-off of Overdose Survivors to Treatment
The National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws created this 2019 draft legislation for consideration by state legislatures. The model bill is intended to ensure warm hand-offs of overdose survivors to treatment. Continue reading
Principles to Guide Behavioral Health Practice in Pre-Arrest Diversion Programs
The Police Treatment and Community Collaborative (PTACC) works to help law enforcement, treatment providers and their community partners develop alternative pathways to arrest and prosecution for individuals with substance use disorder and mental health conditions. This document defines the guiding principles for their work and briefly review the 5 pathways PTACC has designed for pre-arrest diversion programs. Continue reading
The Solution to the Opioid Crisis: The Naloxone Plus Pre-Arrest Diversion Framework
Presentation slides that provide an overview of strategies law enforcement and first responders can adopt in collaboration with community organizations to create pre-arrest diversion options for individuals with substance use disorder or mental health conditions. Continue reading
Quick Response Team: Lives on the Line
A 2 and a half minute video about how the Cabell-County-Huntington, West Virginia Quick Response Team works to engage community members with substance use disorders in treatment.
Funding Source: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Multiple Naloxone Adminstrations Among Emergency Medical Service Providers is Increasing
An analysis data by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff that shows that the incidence of multiple naloxone administrations by first responders increased significantly from 2012 to 2015 and varied by region of the country.
Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Fentanyl: Safety Recommendations for First Responders
This one page document lists safety recommendations for first responders who may encounter fentanyl in their work. Produced by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in collaboration with federal agencies and professional associations.
Funding source: White House Office National Drug Control Policy
Overdose Lifeline
The website for Overdose Lifeline, Inc, an Indiana nonprofit that works with individuals, families and communities to address the consequences of the opioid epidemic. Their programs include education and training about opioid-related issues for individuals and first responders, and youth prevention and education programs. They also Continue reading