Collaboration

    What are some examples of targeted education and outreach to high-risk groups?

    Veterans, residents of rural and tribal areas, recently-released inmates, people completing drug treatment/detox programs, and some young adults are at an especially high risk of opioid overdose. Law enforcement and correctional officers are uniquely positioned to engage in initiatives targeting these high-risk groups, thereby helping prevent fatalities by engaging in outreach initiatives. Individuals re-entering society after a period of incarceration are especially vulnerable.

    What are some examples of promising programs?

    Examples of promising programs include:

    Programs to encourage opioid overdose witnesses to seek help:

    Many opioid overdoses are witnessed, but bystanders do not call 9-1-1 because they do not recognize the signs and symptoms of an overdose, or because they are concerned about legal repercussions.

    Resources: 

    Seattle Police Department Training Video

    Date: 
    Apr, 2012
    Contributor: 
    University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute
    Resource Type: 
    Video

    Seattle Police Department training video about Washington’s 911 Good Samaritan Law and naloxone.

    What is a state substance abuse agency and what is their role?

    Each state and territory offers information and support regarding substance use disorders through a state substance abuse agency. The role of a state substance abuse agency is to plan, carry out, and evaluate substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services provided to individuals and families. Specifically, they oversee treatment centers and counselors in their respective states and, in many cases, supply funding to providers, track state trends, and ensure residents receive the services to which they are entitled.

    Resources: 

    NASADAD Membership List

    Date: 
    Aug, 2014
    Contributor: 
    NASADAD
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    Law enforcement agencies interested in contacting their state’s substance abuse agency can find contact information in this list. Your state’s substance abuse agency may be able to help you identify the programs and resources that are available in your local area and how these programs can be accessed.

    Is there federal funding available to support collaborative, multi-disciplinary efforts to address opioid abuse?

    Yes, in January 2017, BJA released two funding opportunities as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which is the first major federal substance abuse disorder treatment and recovery legislation in 40 years.

    Resources: 

    Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program FY 2017 Competitive Grant Announcement

    Date: 
    Feb, 2017
    Contributor: 
    Bureau of Justice Assistance
    Resource Type: 
    Funding

    BJA is seeking applications to plan and implement comprehensive strategies in response to the growing opioid epidemic. This program furthers the Department’s mission by providing resources to state, local, and tribal governments to intervene with persons with substance-use disorders. 

    Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program FY 2017 Competitive Grant Announcement

    Date: 
    Feb, 2017
    Contributor: 
    Bureau of Justice Assistance
    Resource Type: 
    Funding

    BJA is seeking applications to plan and implement comprehensive strategies in response to the growing opioid epidemic. This program furthers the Department’s mission by providing resources to state, local, and tribal governments to intervene with persons with substance-use disorders.

    How can I highlight a partnership between a police department and a community?

    See the Community Outreach Letter below for one example of you can highlight partnerships in your community.

    Resources: 

    Quincy (MA) Community Outreach Letter

    Contributor: 
    Quincy Police Dept
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    Sample community letter discussing a partnership between the Quincy Police Department and other community partners.

    SAMHSA Overdose Toolkit

    Contributor: 
    SAMHSA
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    A Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) resource toolkit that equips communities and local governments with material to develop policies and practices to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths.

    New York City Overdose Palm Card: Spanish Version

    Date: 
    Sep, 2014
    Contributor: 
    NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    A sample overdose palm card in Spanish from New York City.

    New York City Overdose Palm Card

    Contributor: 
    NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    A sample overdose palm card from New York City.

    Narcan Pocket Card

    Contributor: 
    Bureau of Justice Assistance
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    A sample Narcan pocket card.

    Vermont Overdose Rescue Kit Brochure

    Date: 
    Feb, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Vermont Dept of Health
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    Sample overdose rescue kit brochure from Vermont.

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