Relay: A Peer-Delivered Emergency Department-Based Response to Nonfatal Opioid Overdose

Am J Public Health. 2019 Oct;109(10):1392-1395. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305202. Epub 2019 Aug 15.

Abstract

Relay, a peer-delivered response to nonfatal opioid overdoses, provides overdose prevention education, naloxone, support, and linkage to care to opioid overdose survivors for 90 days after an overdose event. From June 2017 to December 2018, Relay operated in seven New York City emergency departments and enrolled 649 of the 876 eligible individuals seen (74%). Preliminary data show high engagement, primarily among individuals not touched by harm reduction or naloxone distribution networks. Relay is a novel and replicable response to the opioid epidemic.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Drug Overdose / drug therapy*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / standards
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Naloxone / administration & dosage
  • Naloxone / therapeutic use*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Narcotics / poisoning*
  • New York City
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / therapy
  • Patient Education as Topic / organization & administration*
  • Peer Group
  • Program Evaluation
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Narcotics
  • Naloxone