Exploring the Impact of Quick Response Teams in Ohio

• In Event: Substance Use Deflection Programs in Ohio: Innovations, Outcomes, and Impact

Abstract

The opioid overdose crisis in the United States persists at alarming levels. In response, multidisciplinary interventions—Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and other deflection/diversion models—have been implemented to connect individuals to treatment and community resources to reduce overdose fatalities. Yet scant empirical research examines how participants and their families experience these programs. This study seeks to fill that gap through semi-structured interviews (n = 40) with individuals who recently interacted with QRTs in three Ohio counties, each employing a distinct model: pre-arrest deflection (Hamilton County), pre-arrest diversion (Lawrence County), and self-referral through a “SAFER station” (Franklin County). Grounded in the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework, preliminary findings through thematic analyses revealed that participants appreciated immediate access to healthcare, treatment referral, naloxone, and other resources, emphasizing timeliness as crucial for successful engagement. However, participants’ perceptions of law enforcement involvement, the accessibility of treatment and health care, referral pathways, and the clarity of next steps also varied across the three models. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings will be discussed.

Authors

• Kimberly Sperber, Talbert House

• Fan Xuan Chen, Talbert House

• Aaron T. Vissman, Center for Health and Human Services Research at Talbert House / Department of Health Sciences at Thomas More University

• Rachel Greis, Talbert House

• Sarah M. Manchak, University of Cincinnati