First Responder Needs and Efforts to Combat the Opioid Epidemic

• In Event: Criminal Justice Responses to the Opioid Epidemic

Abstract

Opioid overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States. Between 1999-2016 opioid related drug overdose deaths increased 8-fold with more than 80% of the 64,000 drug overdose deaths involving an opioid. The death rate masks even larger numbers who suffer from debilitating addictions and overdose-related complications. Additionally, research suggests that opioid abuse is associated with adverse societal outcomes, including increases in crime, domestic violence, and child maltreatment. As the rates of opioid overdoses have skyrocketed, emergency first responders, including firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS; e.g., paramedics, EMTs) providers have become overburdened by the unprecedented number of opioid overdoses. In the current study, department-level data was collected through an online survey of 2,500 randomly selected fire chiefs and EMS administrators across the U.S. Topics included department-level policies and procedures for responding to calls for opioid overdose; unique and ongoing problems experienced as a result of these cases; collaborations with other community agencies about these cases; specific department needs relative to opioid overdose; and department initiatives or programs to reduce rates of, and improve responses to, opioid overdose in their community. Findings emphasize the importance of taking a community level approach to opioid overdose prevention.

Authors

• Kimberly J. Mitchell, University of New Hampshire

• Kara A. Rodenhizer, Haven

• Lisa M. Jones, University of New Hampshire