Narcan Distribution Every 4th Tuesday of the Month

• York County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Team

  What are Overdose Fatality Reviews?

  Overdose Fatality Reviews (OFR) are a locally based, multi-disciplinary process for understanding the risk factors and circumstances leading to fatal overdoses and identifying opportunities to prevent future overdoses. The basis of OFR – like all fatality reviews – is that overdose fatalities could be prevented with the right action, timing, intervention, and/or response

  The York County Overdose Fatality Review Team was established in 2021 by a joint initiative between the City of York Bureau of Health, York Opioid Collaborative, and the County of York Offices of the Coroner and District Attorney. The multidisciplinary, multi-agency review team was assembled to conduct confidential reviews of individual fatal overdose cases with expert consultation from a wide array of stakeholders.

  Our Purpose

  Our purpose is to prevent overdose deaths. We accomplish this purpose by examining individual, organizational, and systems level factors related to overdose deaths that occur in York County, Pennsylvania. The OFR purpose is to:

  • Define effective, localized strategies for coordinating services related to overdose prevention
  • Develop an understanding of the causes and incidence of overdose deaths in York County
  • Develop plans for and recommend changes within the agencies represented on the team to law, policy, and practice that relate to prevent overdose deaths
  • Development and implementation of data-driven prevention and intervention strategies
  • Identify risk factors and missed opportunities for prevention and intervention to make policy and programmatic recommendations to prevent future overdose deaths
  • Identify system gaps and innovative community-specific overdose prevention and intervention strategies
  • Inform public health and public safety of emerging trends in overdose events
  • Promote cooperation and coordination among agencies involved in the investigations of overdose deaths and/or provide services to families

  Annual Report

  York County OFR Annual Report

• Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

  Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

  The Pennsylvania Department of Health launched a statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in 2016 to help prevent prescription drug abuse and protect the health and safety of our community. Pennsylvania’s PDMP collects information on filled controlled substances dispensed to outpatients, including benzodiazepines and opioids. This information helps health care providers safely prescribe controlled substances and helps patients get the treatment they need.

  • Continuing Education for Health Care Providers
  • PA Prescribing Guidelines
  • Visit the PDMP website for Evidence-Based Prescribing: Tools You Can Use to Fight the Opioid Epidemic
• Get Naloxone

  Get Naloxone

  Naloxone (intranasal brand name: Narcan) is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose (i.e. prescription pain medication or heroin). Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing which may lead to death.

  When administered during an overdose, Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain, which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally within two to eight minutes.

  Naloxone has been used safely by medical professionals for more than 40 years and has only one function: to reverse the effects of opioids on the brain and respiratory system in order to prevent death.

  A statewide General Public Standing Order allows pharmacies in Pennsylvania to dispense naloxone without the need to get a prescription from your doctor. We suggest you call your local pharmacy and ask if they have Naloxone and whether it is covered under your individual insurance plan. View the Naloxone product fact sheet for more information and safety instructions.

  • Mail-based Naloxone Distribution
  • Naloxone Funding Initiative
  • Pennsylvania Department of Health – Naloxone

   

  The York Opioid Collaborative launched OPAL: Overdose Prevention Assistance Locally in September 2021. OPAL is an online, harm reduction service that provides Naloxone to individuals at risk of experiencing an overdose, their family members and friends, and others in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an overdose. To qualify for mail-based naloxone distribution, you will need to:

  1. View a short training video
  2. Answer a short quiz
  3. Provide enrollment information

  

  Get started now at www.opalpa.org.

• Stories of RECOVERY

  Through shared stories of addiction, redemption, and resilience, discover the transformative moments that had the power to change people’s lives.

• Useful Links & Resources

  Useful Links & Resources

  • Commonwealth Prevention Alliance
  • Mental Health Resources for Pennsylvanians
  • Pennsylvania Department of Health – Opioid Epidemic
  • Preventing Suicide in Pennsylvania
  • Pro-A – Online and Virtual Recovery Support Resource List
  • Veterans in Crisis
  • York/Adams Drug and Alcohol Commission (YADAC)
  • York Chapter of Not One More
  • York Opioid Collaborative

  Helplines

  • Crisis Text Line: Text ‘PA’ to 741741
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990
  • Get Help Now for Substance Use Disorder Helpline: 1-800-668-4357
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Pennsylvania’s Support Helpline: 855-284-2494

For Emergencies, Please Call 911

Gaudenzia Help Hotline 1-833-976-HELP (4357)

WellSpan WARM Line, 24-hour support, 1-844-WARM-LINE

If you need assistance in finding a treatment provider or funding for addiction treatment, call:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• Contact Information

  Jaime Morris, Health Overdose Fatality Review Coordinator
  jmorris@yorkcity.org