CLEAR: Community and Law Enforcement for Addiction Response

Connecticut, while a geographically small state, faces a severe overdose crisis, ranking among the top twelve states for overdose deaths (CDC, 2021). The complexity of this crisis has intensified, with 1,374 overdose deaths recorded in 2022, 85% of which involved fentanyl. Emerging threats like xylazine and designer benzodiazepines are increasingly contributing to fatalities. For instance, xylazine-fentanyl combination continues to be a significant factor, and the reappearance of carfentanil and the rise of synthetic opioids, like nitazenes are alarming. Alcohol use also remains high in Connecticut, consistently above the national average since 2010. 
 
In response, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) aims to bolster community-based opioid overdose response efforts in Western Connecticut, incorporating reentry services, support for drug-impacted children, expand drug analysis to understand emerging threats in the supply, and enhance deflection efforts involving law enforcement, first responders, and hospitals. Key to this strategy is the integration of best practices, including same-day access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), harm reduction, and peer support.  
 
Connecticut’s COSSUP FY24 project builds significantly upon the foundations laid by the Community and Law Enforcement for Addiction Recovery (CLEAR) program, which partners law enforcement with behavioral health for post-overdose support. The program demonstrated significant engagement with vulnerable populations during its pilot phase. However, it also revealed critical needs such as trauma-informed responses for children impacted by overdoses, comprehensive reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals, and broader engagement with first responders and healthcare providers to address gaps in initial overdose response. 
 
The project will initially focus on seven preselected sites based on overdose rates, population diversity, and readiness to implement the program, spanning the western part of the state and representing both urban and rural areas with significant need and existing partnerships.  
 
DMHAS will collaborate with pre-selected local behavioral health non-profits to implement on-the-ground activities, leveraging their strong community relationships and successful overdose response efforts. The goal is to create a scalable and adaptable model that addresses the unique needs of each community, informed by data-driven analysis to understand the impact. 
 
By enhancing and expanding Connecticut’s opioid response strategies, DMHAS aims to provide comprehensive, community-wide support for individuals affected by substance use disorders, addressing critical needs and emerging threats to reduce overdose deaths and improve public health outcomes across the state.