Evaluation of a novel coresponse to opioid overdoses with emergency medical services and a community-based...

Individuals who decline transport to the hospital following an opioid overdose represent a vulnerable subgroup at increased risk for subsequent overdoses. This study describes a unique joint overdose response model implemented by an emergency medical service provider and a community-based organization to connect overdose survivors to medication for opioid use disorder and services. Qualitative interviews were conducted with emergency medical system employees (n = 7), community-based organization staff (n = 3), and program clients (n = 20). A qualitative descriptive method was applied for thematic analysis to understand participants' experiences with this coresponse model, particularly navigating clients to health and opioid treatment services. Thematic analysis identified three themes: (a) Outreach workers perceived as part of the community describes why clients trusted the community outreach workers and coresponse acceptability; (b) in coresponse team emphasized personal empowerment, clients described how the coresponse team provided postoverdose and follow-up services, which promoted their self-efficacy to address health and substance use priorities; (c) service uptake and challenges include difficulties with linking clients to evidence-based opioid use disorder treatment with medications for opioid use disorder and follow-up interactions with community outreach workers for wraparound services to facilitate linkage to opioid treatment services. This is among the first partnerships that allowed community responders to arrive at the scene of an overdose. This program attempts to connect trusted partners to people who recently survived an overdose and immediately begin support and service navigation. Clients were enthusiastic about the services provided by the community outreach workers to initiate and maintain their connection to essential social and treatment services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).