Improving first responders' perceptions of overdose events and survivors through tailored occupational health-focused training co-facilitated by overdose survivors.

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.

An evaluation of first responders' intention to refer to post-overdose services following SHIELD training.

Background: First responders [law enforcement officers (LEO) and Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS)] can play a vital prevention role, connecting overdose survivors to treatment and recovery services. This study was conducted to examine the effect of occupational safety and harm reduction training on first responders' intention to refer overdose survivors to treatment, syringe service, naloxone distribution, social support, and care-coordination services, and whether those intentions differed by first responder profession.

Methods: First responders in Missouri were trained using the Safety and Health Integration in the Enforcement of Laws on Drugs (SHIELD) model.

Police discretion in encounters with people who use drugs: operationalizing the theory of planned behavior.

Background: Policing shapes the health risks of people who use drugs (PWUD), but little is understood about interventions that can align officer practices with PWUD health. This study deploys the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to understand what influences police intentions to make discretionary referrals to treatment and harm reduction resources rather than arrest on less serious charges.

Methods: On-line surveys integrating TPB constructs and adapting an instrument measuring police intentions to make mental health treatment referrals were completed by police employees in Indiana, Massachusetts, and Missouri.

Can touch this: training to correct police officer beliefs about overdose from incidental contact with fentanyl.

Misinformation about overdose risk from accidentally inhaling or touching fentanyl is widespread among police in the United States. This may aggravate already elevated burdens of officer stress and burnout, while chilling lifesaving overdose response. Police education has shown promise in reducing false beliefs about fentanyl.