NH Department of Safety seeks this grant to continue an opioid use disorder (OUD) project and expand it to include other licit and illicit drug education and services. Project goals are to increase first responders and members of key community sectors trained to respond to a licit or illicit drug emergency; establish a statewide first responder-facilitated referral process to treatment and recovery; and increase first responders and members of key community sectors that can provide naloxone kits and resources to at-risk individuals and their support networks. Goals will be met through education on licit and illicit drugs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), naloxone, compassion fatigue and mental health awareness, cultural humility, and recovery support. Services include naloxone kit and SUD resource distribution to first responders, members of key community sectors, at-risk individuals, and support networks.
The population of focus is the State of NH, with increased focus on areas with high rates of substance misuse emergency room and treatment admissions, EMS Narcan administrations, and rate of overdose fatalities. NH anticipates serving approximately 300 individuals each year, totaling 1,200 individuals in 4 years. NH DOS will collaborate with the NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (NH BDAS), NH Governor Christopher P. Sununu's Offices, the 13 NH Public Health Networks, NH Association of Fire Chiefs, NH Chiefs of Police, and other private and public stakeholders to ensure proper project implementation and performance evaluation.
Unique to this proposal is the strong collaboration between NH DOS and NH BDAS to deliver services and a first responders's ability to connect with their communities at a street level. This connection and interactions establishes a unique opportunity to deliver lifesaving skills and supplies to sustain a life while waiting for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrival. It provides first responders with a prime opportunity to refer individuals to treatment and recovery via resources and supportive communication, reducing the strain on emergency systems and costly ambulance transports. NH believes mere delivery of a medication without supportive measures, such as CPR and naloxone education, protective devices, and referral to systems of care, is not effective and does not offer the best chance of recovery.
NH will use this grant to provide education and naloxone kits and resources to first responders and members of key community sectors. Trained first responders will provide naloxone kits, education, and recovery resources to individuals to reduce overdoses and overdose deaths. This funding will establish a first responder-facilitated referral process to the Doorway-NH (Doorway), providing a single regional point-of-entry of help for individuals.