Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
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
Findings/Key points
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.
Design/methods
3-month pilot eventually operationalized to a 24/7 phoneline to determine utilization of the service and test operational feasibility
