HOPE Programs

What is a Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT)?

A Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT) is a program designed to provide timely support, education, and connections to resources for individuals who have recently overdosed—typically within 24 to 72 hours. These resources may include referrals to substance use and mental health services, as well as access to naloxone. PORT programs are an excellent way to build meaningful relationships with people who use drugs (PWUD) in our community.

In addition, PORT programs create ongoing connections, offering a variety of wrap-around health and social services even if the person isn't ready to seek help immediately. Wrap-around services provide a holistic approach, addressing the unique needs and challenges of substance use. These programs can serve as a lifesaving touchpoint for individuals often marginalized by society.

Learn more about PORT

How PORT Works

Rapid Response and Outreach

In collaboration with Rowan County Emergency Services (EMS), our initiative deploys a specially trained community paramedic to respond quickly to non-fatal overdoses and maintain a presence in identified "hot spots" of overdose activity. A "hot spot" is an area with a higher-than-expected number of overdoses compared to a random distribution.

When a Rowan County resident experiences an overdose and EMS is called, they provide immediate assistance at the scene and collect important information. EMS then refers the individual to the HOPE team for follow-up. A peer support specialist from the HOPE team reaches out within 24-72 hours and continues contact for up to three months. This outreach offers ongoing support and connects individuals with critical resources, ensuring a long-term relationship focused on health and recovery.

Connection to Services

The HOPE team works closely with individuals to link them with essential services, such as addiction treatment, counseling, Harm Reduction resources, and healthcare.

Why is a Post-Overdose Response Team Important?

Timely Intervention

PORT provides immediate support after an overdose, increasing the chances of successful intervention and preventing future overdoses.

Comprehensive Care

The HOPE team collaborates with a network of providers to ensure individuals have access to a wide range of services tailored to their unique needs.

Empowering Recovery

The HOPE team believes in the resilience of those in recovery and is committed to offering the support necessary for a successful recovery journey.

Research shows that individuals who have experienced an overdose are at significantly higher risk of another. PORT programs offer life-saving interventions, fostering relationships with PWUD in the community and providing wrap-around health and social services. In short, PORT programs save lives.

References

1. NC Department of Health and Human Services. (NCDHHS). (2022). Division of Public Health. Post-Overdose Response Teams (PDF)
2. Chakravorty, S. (1995). Identifying crime clusters: The spatial principles. Middle States Geographer, 28, 53-58. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/population-health-methods/hot-spot-spatial-analysis

What is a Syringe Services Program?

A Syringe Services Program (SSP), also known as a Needle Exchange Program, is a public health strategy that provides people who inject drugs (PWID) with access to sterile needles and syringes. SSPs play a critical role in Harm Reduction by reducing the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis C, and endocarditis. They promote the use of sterile injection equipment for each injection, helping prevent the spread of these infections.

Learn more about Syringe Access

Our Strategy Goals

Through the SSP, HOPE’s strategy aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to:

• Prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections
• Reduce or stop substance use
• Prevent overdose deaths
• Reduce publicly discarded needles
• Increase initiation and retention in HIV/STD treatment

Services We Offer

Our SSP follows the CDC’s best practices, providing a range of services, including:

• Access to sterile syringes and proper disposal of used injection equipment, minimizing environmental impact through safe disposal methods.
• Resources and information on safer drug use, sex work, overdose prevention, and connections to healthcare services.
• Referrals to onsite vaccination, testing services, and primary care.
• Referrals to addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), mental health support, and other essential services like food and housing.
• Distribution of wound care supplies, Narcan, sharps containers, safer injection instructions, and safer sex supplies, along with Narcan administration training.
• Referrals to sexual HIV/STD prevention services, including condoms, lubricant, and PrEP.

View our SSP Menu (PDF) and SSP Flyers (PDF)

Get Involved

Volunteer (Coming Soon):

Join our team of dedicated volunteers and contribute to Harm Reduction efforts and SSP.

References

1. Syringe Services Programs. (2023). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2. Photo Credits. Providing clean syringes to Veterans who inject drugs. (2021). VA News. https://news.va.gov/89943/providing-veterans-inject-drugs-clean-syringes/

What Is Peer Support?

Peer support is a powerful form of assistance offered by individuals who have personal experience with similar challenges. It involves sharing experiences, providing empathy, and offering practical advice to promote well-being and recovery.

Peer support encompasses a range of activities between people who share similar experiences, whether they are dealing with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both. This shared experience, often referred to as "peerness," fosters connection and inspires hope between the peer support specialist and the individual in or seeking recovery.

Peer support offers a level of acceptance, understanding, and validation not typically found in other professional relationships. By sharing their lived experiences, peer support specialists help others set goals, create strategies for empowerment, and take meaningful steps toward fulfilling, self-determined lives.

Learn more about Peer Support

What Does a Peer Support Do?

A peer support specialist provides non-clinical, strengths-based support based on their personal recovery journey. They may hold different titles depending on the setting—peer recovery coach, peer advocate, or peer recovery support specialist.

They work in a variety of settings, including recovery centers, drug courts, emergency departments, child welfare agencies, and shelters. Peer support specialists help people navigate their recovery path without judgment or expectations, offering outreach, engagement, and connection to resources.

How Does Peer Support Help?

• Inspires hope and demonstrates that recovery is possible
• Walks with individuals on their recovery journey
• Dispels myths about mental health and substance use
• Provides education and links to tools and resources
• Supports individuals in setting goals and creating a roadmap for recovery

Does Peer Support Make A Difference?

Research shows that peer support is effective in supporting recovery from mental health and substance use conditions. Benefits include increased self-esteem, empowerment, social support, and reduced hospital admissions. Peer support has been shown to improve social functioning, reduce symptoms of mental health conditions, and decrease substance use and depression.

Services We Offer

Peer-Led Support Groups

Join a supportive community of individuals who understand your experiences.

One-on-One Peer Mentorship

Connect with a trained peer mentor for personalized guidance and encouragement.

Workshops and Events

Participate in events that provide practical insights, skills, and resources to enhance your well-being.

References

1. Peer Support Workers For Those In Recovery. (2023). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association. https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/peers
2. Value of Peers Infographics: General Peer Support. (2017). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association.   https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/brss_tacs/peer-support-2017.pdf
3. Chinman, M. J., Weingarten, R., Stayner, D., & Davidson, L. (2001). Chronicity reconsidered: improving person-environment fit through a consumer-run service. Community Mental Health Journal, 37(3), 215-229.
4. Coatsworth-Puspoky, R., Forchuk, C., & Ward-Griffin, C. (2006). Peer support relationships: an unexplored interpersonal process in mental health. Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, 13(5), 490-497.
5. Davidson, L., Bellamy, C., Guy, K., & Miller, R. (2012). Peer support among persons with severe mental illnesses: a review of evidence and experience. World Psychiatry, 11(2),123-128.
6. Davidson, L., Chinman, M., Kloos, B., Weingarten, R., Stayner, D., & Tebes, J. K. (1999). Peer support among individuals with severe mental illness: A review of the evidence.Clinical psychology: Science and practice, 6(2), 165-187.
7. Dumont, J., & Jones, K. (2002). Findings from a consumer/survivor defined an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. Outlook, 3(Spring), 4-6.
8. Forchuk, C., Martin, M. L., Chan, Y. L., & Jensen, E. (2005). Therapeutic relationships: From psychiatric hospital to community. Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing,12(5), 556-564.
9. Kurtz, L. F. (1990). The self-help movement: Review of the past decade of research. Social Work with Groups, 13(3), 101-115.
10. Min, S. Y., Whitecraft, J., Rothbard, A. B., & Salzer, M. S. (2007). Peer support for persons with co-occurring disorders and community tenure: a survival analysis. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 30(3), 207-213.
11. Mead, S., & McNeil, C. (2006). Peer support: What makes it unique? International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 10(2), 29-37.
12. Nelson, G., Ochocka, J., Janzen, R., & Trainor, J. (2006). A longitudinal study of mental health consumer/survivor initiatives: Part 1—Literature review and overview of the study. Journal of Community Psychology, 34(3), 247-260.
13. Ochocka, J., Nelson, G., Janzen, R., & Trainor, J. (2006). A longitudinal study of mental health consumer/survivor initiatives: Part 3—A qualitative study of impacts of participation on new members. Journal of Community Psychology, 34(3), 273-283.
14. Ratzlaff, S., McDiarmid, D., Marty, D., & Rapp, C. (2006). The Kansas Consumer as Provider program: measuring the effects of a supported education initiative. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29(3), 174-182.
15. Resnick, S, G., & Rosenheck, R. A. (2008). Integrating peer-provided services: a quasi-experimental study of recovery orientation, confidence, and empowerment.Psychiatric Services, 59(11), 1307-1317.
16. Salzer, M. S. (2002). Consumer-Delivered Services as a Best Practice in Mental HealthCare Delivery and The Development of Practice Guidelines: Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania Best Practices Team Philadelphia. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills, 6(3), 355-382.
17. Trainor, J., Shepherd, M., Boydell, K. M., Leff, A., & Crawford, E. (1997). Beyond the service paradigm: The impact and implications of consumer/survivor initiatives. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 21(2), 132-140.
18. Yanos, T. P., Primavera, L. H., & Knight, E. L. (2001). Consumer-run service participation, recovery of social functioning, and the mediating role of psychological factors.Psychiatric Services, 52(4), 493-500.
19. Photo Credits. Peer Support in Addiction and Recovery: Why It Matters. (2019). Lightway Recovery. https://lightwayrecovery.org/blog/addiction-recovery-peer-support/

What is Narcan?

Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses—including those caused by heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids—if administered in time. Naloxone is easy to use, portable, and available in two forms that require no medical training: prefilled nasal spray and injectable.

Why Carry Narcan?

According to a 2022 report from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), Rowan County had the 4th highest overdose rate in North Carolina. Thanks in large part to Narcan distribution, by 2023 Rowan County improved to the 8th highest rate. Nationwide, nearly 50,000 people died from opioid-involved overdoses in 2019. Studies have shown that bystanders were present in over one-third of opioid overdoses. With naloxone, bystanders can act quickly to prevent overdose deaths. Carrying naloxone and administering it during an overdose can save a life.

Learn more about How Naloxone Saves Lives from Opioid Overdoses (Video)

How Do I Administer Narcan?

• How to Use Naloxone Nasal Spray Video (30-second video)
• How to Use Injectable Naloxone Video (30-second video)

Narcan Distribution

HOPE offers free nasal Narcan at the Rowan County Health Department. If you cannot visit the Health Department, call HOPE at 704-216-8827, or fill out a HOPE Service Request Form on our homepage. Our team can meet you in the community to provide a free nasal Narcan kit. With each Narcan box distributed, our team offers brief training to ensure recipients know how to respond to an overdose.

In collaboration with Rowan County Emergency Services, the HOPE team was awarded a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) PDO Grant, which allows us to improve response times by supplying first responders with nasal Narcan.

We have also partnered with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office to install free Narcan vending machines at the Rowan County Detention Center and Annex. These machines dispense two-dose containers of Narcan 24/7, available for individuals upon release, as well as their family and friends who enter the building.

References

1. Life-Saving Naloxone. (2023). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.     https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/naloxone/index.html
2. Life-Saving Naloxone from Pharmacies. (2019). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/naloxone/index.html
3. Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit. (2018). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma18-4742.pdf
4. National Institutes on Health: National Institute on Drug Abuse: Overdose Death Rates

   https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates

5. O’Donnell J, Gladden RM, Mattson CL, Hunter CT, Davis NL. Vital Signs: Characteristics of Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids and Stimulants — 24 States and the District of Columbia, January–June 2019. MMWR Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report 2020;69:1189–1197. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6935a1

6. Medication and Drug Overdose in Rowan County. (2022). North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.   https://injuryfreenc.dph.ncdhhs.gov/DataSurveillance/StatewideOverdoseSurveillanceReports/CountyOverdoseDeathSlides/rowancountyoverdosedeathslides.pdf

7. How Naloxone Saves Lives in Opioid Overdoses. (2019). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://medlineplus.gov/medlineplus-videos/how-naloxone-saves-lives-in-opioid-overdose/

8. Photo Credits. Dimitri, C. Meeting Demand: Key Strategies for Effective Distribution of Naloxone in Rhode Island. (2022. Continuum. Magazine of the Brown University School of Public Health. https://brownpublichealthmagazine.org/2022/12/naloxone-strategies/

What is Mobile SSP?

(Coming Soon)

A Mobile Syringe Services Program (SSP) is a vital outreach initiative designed to bring Harm Reduction services directly to people who use drugs (PWUD). Through our mobile unit, we provide access to sterile syringes, safe disposal of used syringes, and other essential resources to help reduce the transmission of blood-borne infections, such as HIV and Hepatitis C. By offering these services on the move, we can reach underserved communities that may not have access to traditional healthcare facilities.

Learn more about when and where HOPE will be set up in our Upcoming Events

What is Mobile Narcan?

Mobile Narcan is a program aimed at distributing naloxone kits to individuals and communities at risk of opioid overdose. Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a life-saving medication that can quickly reverse opioid overdoses. Our Mobile Narcan program increases access to naloxone in high-risk areas, helping to prevent overdose deaths.

To ensure an equitable and impactful distribution, HOPE will operate four mobile Narcan pop-up sites in China Grove, Spencer, and Salisbury. These locations were carefully selected using our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Overdose Hotspot Map and Dashboard, based on data from Post-Overdose Response (PORT) calls received by our community paramedic. Each location will operate once a week for two hours, rotating weekly and restarting the cycle at the beginning of every month.

Learn more about when and where we will be set up in our Upcoming Events

Benefits of Mobile Narcan and Mobile SSP

Reducing Overdose Deaths: 

Naloxone distribution can save lives by reversing opioid overdoses and providing an opportunity for individuals to seek help for substance use disorders.

Preventing the Spread of Infections: 

Offering sterile syringes and safe disposal options reduces the risk of blood-borne infections, such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

Connecting with Underserved Communities: 

Our mobile unit allows us to reach communities that may have limited access to traditional health services, offering crucial Harm Reduction resources directly where they are needed.

References

1. Mobile SSP. Photo Credits. Taylor Knopf. (2017). Mobile Syringe Exchange Serves People Where They Are. NC Health News.