Cambridge Police Receive Grant to Help Provide Enhanced Aftercare Support for Overdose Survivors

As a result of a new grant, the Cambridge Police are now participating in a multi-disciplinary approach to post-overdose follow-up between first responders and community partners at the Access: Drug User Health Program as part of its PARTNER (Providing Access to Resources, Treatment Needs, and Education for Recovery) Initiative.

The POST (Post Overdose Support Team) grant, which was obtained from the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health and Bureau of Substance Abuse Addiction Services through the Fenway Health Group, will help support costs related to providing aftercare support for overdose survivors. That support includes providing survivors with valuable items such as backpacks or small duffel bags containing clothing, supplies (including Narcan) and personal hygiene products, transportation to treatment or clinical care services, assistance with vital documents to aid reinstatement of identification documents, and communication services so individuals can connect with care providers to aid in their recovery and harm reduction modalities.

Since 2016, the Cambridge Police PARTNER Initiative has been committed to making contact by phone, in the community, or at the home of overdose survivors within 48 hours of receiving an overdose report. The PARTNER Initiative is excited to now build on its already established post-overdose response by adding an outreach worker from Access and utilizing their training in harm reduction strategies alongside the department's social worker and outreach officers during post-overdose follow-ups. During these visits, each entity establishes rapport with survivors of overdose by engaging with participants using client-centered and strength-based approaches. Oftentimes, the team members have already established a trusting relationship in the community, which improves the intervention and creates a safe, productive, and supportive space for follow-up. After a resident has agreed to speak with the team, they are offered overdose prevention training, Narcan, resources for treatment and harm reduction modalities, as well as personal care products. In addition, if a survivor expresses interest in detox or substance use treatment options, a team will assist in navigating the survivor to a service that best suits their needs.

The POST grant also formalizes the Cambridge Police Department’s newly established working relationship with Fenway Health’s Access Drug User Health Program. The Cambridge Police Department’s efforts to collaborate with Access and provide wrap-around care for clients while minimizing conflict began in 2017, but over the last year -- with the new management at Fenway Health Access: Drug User Health Program -- incredible strides have been made to dramatically improve collaboration.  A Licensed Independent Social Worker and other members of the Cambridge Police Department’s Family and Social Justice Section now meet bi-weekly with Fenway Health Access’ Drug User Health Program staff to discuss overdose numbers, response policies, after-care, and community members who are at high risk of overdose, death or criminal involvement in an effort to divert negative outcomes for our clients.

The impact of this work will be regularly measured via reviewed reports, ongoing overdose data, individuals who engage in numerous treatment and harm reduction modalities, and successful interactions.

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