ResearchProjects

Overdose FREE (Fentanyl Resources, Education, and Engagement)
Funded by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene via Fund for Public Health in New York (FPHNY)
Project dates: January 2022 - December 2022
Principal Investigator: Keene, Lance
Principal Investigator: Manuel, Jennifer
PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Overdose FREE aimed to:

  1. Increase awareness of fentanyl
  2. Increase the proportion of individuals trained to prevent and respond to an overdose
  3. Increase access to fentanyl test strips (FTS)
  4. Reduce overdose-related drug use behavior

The Overdose FREE intervention had three levels:

  1. Community Level: a) A peer-led FTS distribution program through three mechanisms: door-to-door and street-based outreach, community health fairs, and an online resource center. The online resource center will host a training video series and a supply ordering form; b) A community-wide fentanyl awareness social marketing campaign delivered through our website, social media platforms, and in-person outreach.
  2. Family Level: A family seminar series designed to increase motivation and knowledge to: a) prevent an overdose using FTS and safety tips; b) respond to an overdose by calling 911 and administering naloxone; and c) support a family member’s engagement in harm reduction services and/or SUD treatment.
  3. Individual Level: a) Peer-led harm reduction counseling that will integrate motivational interviewing with the provision of DOHMH safety tips for PWUD; b) Bilingual training videos to be hosted on the online resource center which include a rapid FTS training and overdose response training.
SELECTED PRESS