Improving first responders’ perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivors
Abstract Background First responders (law enforcement officers, emergency medical services, and firefighters) frequently interact with people who use drugs (PWUD). Based on the nature and outcomes of such encounters, these interactions have the potential either to reduce harm, or perpetuate it. Give...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Health & Justice |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-024-00309-1 |
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| author | Rachel Winograd Phillip L. Marotta Meghan M. O’Neil Saad Siddiqui Elizabeth Connors Anna La Manna Jeremiah Goulka Leo Beletsky |
| author_facet | Rachel Winograd Phillip L. Marotta Meghan M. O’Neil Saad Siddiqui Elizabeth Connors Anna La Manna Jeremiah Goulka Leo Beletsky |
| author_sort | Rachel Winograd |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background First responders (law enforcement officers, emergency medical services, and firefighters) frequently interact with people who use drugs (PWUD). Based on the nature and outcomes of such encounters, these interactions have the potential either to reduce harm, or perpetuate it. Given increased funding and attention for first responder-led interventions involving PWUD, we must identify the most critical training for improving negative beliefs about these interventions and populations. In this study, we aimed to develop and evaluate a novel, evidence-based first responder training with an occupational wellness framing aiming to increase knowledge regarding and improve attitudes toward people who overdose and toward the overdose antidote, naloxone. Methods We developed and evaluated the DOTS/SHIELD (Drug Overdose Trust & Safety/Safety & Health Integration in the Enforcement of Laws on Drugs) first responder training with three components: (1) matched first responder and overdose survivor trainers; (2) locally tailored substance use service information and practical referral instructions; and (3) occupational health content designed to make first responders’ jobs easier and safer. We conducted pre- and post-tests at 151 Missouri-based trainings (December 2020–May 2023) to assess associated attitudinal changes among law enforcement vs. emergency medical services [EMS]/fire. Results Among the matched sample (N = 1,003, 53.9% law enforcement), post-training attitudes toward people who overdose and toward naloxone were more positive than pre-training attitudes. On average, law enforcement held worse attitudes than EMS/fire toward people who overdose, though there were no professional differences in naloxone-related beliefs. Conclusions This training approach effectively combines three training components – peer trainers, practical substance use service referral information, and an occupational wellness framing – to positively influence first responders’ views toward those who use drugs and toward naloxone. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78f285d8dc7440d9980ab4801973b9dc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2194-7899 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health & Justice |
| spelling | doaj-art-78f285d8dc7440d9980ab4801973b9dc2024-12-22T12:21:10ZengBMCHealth & Justice2194-78992024-12-0112111010.1186/s40352-024-00309-1Improving first responders’ perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivorsRachel Winograd0Phillip L. Marotta1Meghan M. O’Neil2Saad Siddiqui3Elizabeth Connors4Anna La Manna5Jeremiah Goulka6Leo Beletsky7University of Missouri–St. LouisUniversity of Missouri–St. LouisMichigan State UniversityUniversity of Missouri–St. LouisUniversity of Missouri–St. LouisUniversity of Missouri–St. LouisNortheastern UniversityNortheastern UniversityAbstract Background First responders (law enforcement officers, emergency medical services, and firefighters) frequently interact with people who use drugs (PWUD). Based on the nature and outcomes of such encounters, these interactions have the potential either to reduce harm, or perpetuate it. Given increased funding and attention for first responder-led interventions involving PWUD, we must identify the most critical training for improving negative beliefs about these interventions and populations. In this study, we aimed to develop and evaluate a novel, evidence-based first responder training with an occupational wellness framing aiming to increase knowledge regarding and improve attitudes toward people who overdose and toward the overdose antidote, naloxone. Methods We developed and evaluated the DOTS/SHIELD (Drug Overdose Trust & Safety/Safety & Health Integration in the Enforcement of Laws on Drugs) first responder training with three components: (1) matched first responder and overdose survivor trainers; (2) locally tailored substance use service information and practical referral instructions; and (3) occupational health content designed to make first responders’ jobs easier and safer. We conducted pre- and post-tests at 151 Missouri-based trainings (December 2020–May 2023) to assess associated attitudinal changes among law enforcement vs. emergency medical services [EMS]/fire. Results Among the matched sample (N = 1,003, 53.9% law enforcement), post-training attitudes toward people who overdose and toward naloxone were more positive than pre-training attitudes. On average, law enforcement held worse attitudes than EMS/fire toward people who overdose, though there were no professional differences in naloxone-related beliefs. Conclusions This training approach effectively combines three training components – peer trainers, practical substance use service referral information, and an occupational wellness framing – to positively influence first responders’ views toward those who use drugs and toward naloxone.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-024-00309-1 |
| spellingShingle | Rachel Winograd Phillip L. Marotta Meghan M. O’Neil Saad Siddiqui Elizabeth Connors Anna La Manna Jeremiah Goulka Leo Beletsky Improving first responders’ perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivors Health & Justice |
| title | Improving first responders’ perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivors |
| title_full | Improving first responders’ perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivors |
| title_fullStr | Improving first responders’ perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving first responders’ perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivors |
| title_short | Improving first responders’ perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivors |
| title_sort | improving first responders perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health focused training co facilitated by overdose survivors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-024-00309-1 |
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