Reducing overdose deaths and substance use in the Longview, Texas, area

The City of Longview proposes to implement the program, “Reducing overdose deaths and substance use in the Longview, Texas area.” The purpose is to implement an opioid use intervention strategy and develop an education campaign focused on the harms of opioid use. The intervention strategy will increase the capacity of the City of Longview Community Health Section by adding a Community Health Paramedic (CHP). The CHP will respond to 911 calls involving substance use or overdose components providing immediate medical assistance, screenings, referrals to treatment, and follow-up care. 

The public education campaign will be managed by the city’s Partners in Prevention Division and the Coalition for a Drug Free Youth. This will include the addition of drug drop boxes, syringe disposal boxes, and a public naloxone vending machine. 

 
Expected outcomes include alternative response to 911 calls involving substance use, increased referrals to treatment, and a reduction in opioid overdose and emergency department transports. The University of Texas at Tyler’s School of Nursing will provide program evaluation, focusing on data collection and analysis.