Comprehensive Community-based response to the drug overdose epidemic in King County, Washington, coordinated by multi-agency overdose fatality review

The proposed project will develop comprehensive, locally driven responses to the use of opioids, stimulants, and other substances through the implementation of an Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) process in King County, Washington. The requested funds will support the creation of an OFR as a community-based rapid response network to foster evidence-based strategies for treatment and prevention of overdose. King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO), the applicant and intended beneficiary of funds, will partner with the Overdose Prevention team of Public Health – Seattle and King County, law enforcement, and community groups to establish and conduct OFR.  

Primary activities include: 1) design and establish an OFR process supported by existing Real-time Fatal Drug Overdose Surveillance conducted by KCMEO; 2) utilize OFR to recommend evidence-based responses to drug overdoses and emerging drug trends; and 3) translate recommendations into action plans for effective community-based interventions.  

The project will address the following allowable uses under Category 1, with approximate budget percentage: 1) Real-time data collection to inform OFR, 96.5%, and 2) naloxone for first responders, 3.5%. Funding will be allocated to personnel and supplies. Personnel include 1 FTE Project Manager III OFR Coordinator, responsible for creation and management of OFR; 1 FTE Project Manager II responsible for real-time data collection and dissemination; 0.875 FTE Disease Research Intervention Specialist to support data collection and dissemination and support OFR work; and part time student interns (supported by existing academic agreements) to assist with OFR and data management. Supplies include test kits for in-house testing of drug evidence and decedent blood, and naloxone for distribution to law enforcement and first responders.  

Expected outcomes include: 1) hire and onboard project staff, 2) design and establish OFR committee, 3) produce quarterly recommendations from OFR, once established (by year two; in year one, two case reviews will be conducted to allow for design and implementation); 4) provide up to 500 naloxone kits for law enforcement and first responders annually, 5) provide educational resources for law enforcement and community groups, 6) embed law enforcement community outreach and Community Liaisons into the Sequential Intercept Model; and 7) establish a Quality Improvement & Oversight Committee to conduct continuous quality improvement for the project.