Determining the feasibility for an overdose prevention line to support substance users who use alone

Original research
par
Ritchie, Kim & Sumantra Monty Ghosh

Date de publication

2022

Géographie

Canada

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

To reach individuals who use substances alone, Grenfell Ministries, a not for profit agency in Hamilton Ontario created a phone-based supervision service to target individuals who use substances alone

Constatations/points à retenir

The line was provincially utilized. Between February 1st and December 10, 2020, the line was used 64 times. Most calls occurred in the evening, with fentanyl being the most used substance. EMS was dispatched 3 times for overdoses, of which 2 individuals were successfully resuscitated, and one individual’s status being unknown.The overdose prevention line can be implemented to support individuals who use alone. The service can successfully reduce risk of death from individuals who use alone and could be a valuable tool in addressing the opioid crisis.

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

3-month pilot eventually operationalized to a 24/7 phoneline to determine utilization of the service and test operational feasibility

Mots clés

Digital health
Overdose
Outcomes