Spotlight

Post-overdose response teams (PORTs), also sometimes referred to as quick response or post-overdose outreach programs, offer services and targeted outreach to individuals who have recently experienced an overdose. Typically, PORTs respond within 24-72 hours of the overdose and are comprised of health professionals such as harm reduction and peer recovery specialists, healthcare and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals, and outreach staff. PORTs can be run by county agencies or community-based organizations, but always focus on overdose prevention and harm reduction. PORTS often provide overdose prevention services such as fentanyl test strips and naloxone, training, and assistance in directing individuals to treatment and/or social services as needed.  

Using funding from the North Carolina opioid settlements, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services created a short overview of PORTs as well as a detailed toolkit, which outlines how to create a PORT program, including what to think about and who to engage during the process. Importantly, PORTs create connections between system and community partners and active drug users in the community, which allows for more tailored supportive services based on needs seen through PORT programs.  

In 2017, North Carolina’s Guilford County, through the Guilford County Solution to the Opioid Problem (GCSTOP), created a PORT (p.20). When responding to overdoses, EMS asks if the individual would like to have a peer with lived experience help them find care, treatment and/or harm reduction services. For those who decline, EMS provides naloxone and information regarding community resources. If the individual who overdosed wanted help but cannot be contacted after several phone attempts, a peer support staff from GCSTOP and an off-duty sheriff respond in person—the peer support specialist takes the lead to build trust, while the deputy remains in their vehicle to minimize feelings of anxiety or fear related to the deputy’s presence. 

Key Takeaway: PORTs can be a life-saving intervention for some individuals. Explore whether your state has any PORTs or consider funding one (or multiple) through Byrne JAG and/or Byrne SCIP funds! 

New From the NCJA Center for Justice Planning

Many State Administering Agencies (SAAs) are still navigating how to set up their Byrne SCIP advisory boards and are working toward determining areas of need for the funds. The NCJP has created a Byrne SCIP subaward summary document, which outlines BJA-approved subawards as of April 19. Browse the document here for funding ideas! All the included examples have been approved by SAAs. This document will be regularly updated and shared as subawards are added.  

In Case You Missed It

Read about the Trades Related Apprenticeship Coaching (TRAC) program, which helps women leaving Washington prisons train and prepare for gainful employment in the trades. 

Listen to Episode 32 of the NCJA Podcast and hear from two NCJP program managers with Community Violence Intervention (CVI) field expertise—learn about the importance of holistically responding to violence, the importance of shared language and more! 

Staff Recommends

Demaxia recommends watching this short video about the innovative, trauma-informed approach utilized by Harris County, Texas’ Juvenile Probation Department. 

Anica recommends this Q&A with expert Dr. Andrew Papachristos—learn about how CVI programs can move beyond the question of “did it work?” 

Social Media For SAAs

Struggling to fill your social media feeds with content? Consider posting about the following items:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! 

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. 

Bring attention to National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on May 5. 

Observe National Police Week May 13-20 and National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15.