Law enforcement can apply to create an overdose crime scene team consisting of a criminal investigator and a peer recovery specialist (PRS). The investigator will work with the law enforcement agency at the scene to seek out the supplier for prosecution with assistance from the DEA Tactical Drug Division. The PRS will provide counseling for the overdose victim on available treatment and recovery services and follow-up and tracking of these individuals to promote treatment and recovery. In cases of a fatal overdose, the PRS will refer family members to grief counseling resources. The PRS will also engage in community education about substance abuse, working with local coalitions and schools.
This proposal is for city and county law enforcement agencies and local drug task forces interested in creating an overdose response team.
An ORT partners a law enforcement criminal investigator with a peer recovery specialist (PRS) to respond to fatal and non-fatal overdoses within their jurisdiction.
The investigator will work with the law enforcement agency at the scene to identify the drug(s) involved in the overdose, determine the origin of the drug(s), and seek out the supplier for prosecution, with assistance from the DEA Tactical Drug Division. The PRS will provide counseling for the overdose victim on available treatment and recovery services and follow-up and tracking of these individuals to promote treatment and recovery. In cases of a fatal overdose, the PRS will refer family members to grief counseling resources. The PRS will also engage in community education about substance abuse, working with local coalitions and schools.