- North Carolina Expands Mobile Opioid Treatment Clinics To Reach People Who “Otherwise Couldn’t Have Reached Treatment,” Reducing Strain On Law Enforcement And Other Emergency Responders. For North Carolina Health News, Rachel Crumpler reports that three mobile clinics are now bringing medications for opioid use disorder directly to communities across the state, with six more expected to launch in the coming months. Since January, the units have completed nearly 500 admissions, administered nearly 6,000 doses of medication and provided nearly 900 patients with counseling sessions, including connection to long-term treatment. Anna Stanley, who oversees the state effort, said “a lot of folks that are able to access the services via the mobile unit just wouldn’t have had the ability to do that at a brick-and-mortar.” Preston Evans, who runs one of the mobile clinics, explained that bringing medical care closer has helped patients who struggled to travel remain in treatment: “I’ve watched this mobile unit actually change lives.”
- Montclair, New Jersey, Launches Overdose Response Team To “Stay Engaged Beyond The Emergency” And Get People Into Treatment. For TAPinto Montclair, Brett Hawn reports on the township’s new Opioid Response Street Team which combines a weekly outreach team with a dedicated EMS unit responding to overdose-related calls for service. Outreach workers distribute Narcan and connect people to detox centers, treatment, behavioral health, housing and recovery services, while the mobile unit strengthens coordination among EMS, public health and other first responders. James Mazza, chief of the city’s ambulance unit, explained that the team is vital to the city’s public safety infrastructure: “Saving a life is only the first step… [the team gives] us the resources to stay engaged beyond the emergency, connect people with treatment and recovery services, and help break the cycle instead of simply responding to it.”
- Northeastern Connecticut Launches Mobile Overdose Treatment Team. Connecticut By The Numbers reports on the new mobile team that will provide overdose treatment across northeastern Connecticut, including providing medication, same-day treatment initiation, counseling, peer recovery support and access to Narcan. Heather Gates, who helps oversee the mobile team, explained that the program will bring “high-quality, comprehensive care” to people who “may have limited access to transportation” and provide “the same comprehensive care that individuals can access in a [a clinic].”
