Hamilton County Reporter

After extensive planning and preparation, the Hamilton County Community Opioid Prevention Efforts (COPE) Quick Response Team (QRT) announced implementation of the program effective Monday. Surrounded by public safety officials, government leaders and private organizations, Monica Greer, Executive Director of the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, presented program details that will assist county residents dealing with overdose issues.

Utilizing the QRT concept originating in southwest Ohio and successfully implemented in other locations, COPE QRTs have been established in Carmel and Westfield as pilot programs with the rest of the county added throughout 2019. Each QRT is comprised of a law enforcement officer, a medic and a peer recovery counselor provided by Aspire Indiana. The team’s goal is to meet with an opioid overdose patient within 48 to 72 hours of the event to check on the individual and provide them with details of services available to both the survivor and family members. This includes counseling by a peer recovery coach and information on treatment services in an attempt to stop any repeat behaviors. The QRT will provide support as it attempts diversions and alternatives to incarceration when/if appropriate.

Hamilton County has experienced a steadily increasing number of overdose calls and deaths in recent years. In 2018, Public Safety Communications dispatched 459 overdose calls while the Coroner’s Office reported 38 overdose deaths.

Funding for the COPE/QRT program comes from grants through the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addictions and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.