Saving Lives: San Diego's Innovative Approach to Combating the Opioid Crisis

In a bold move to address the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic, the city of San Diego has partnered with UC San Diego Health to enhance the support services provided to individuals who have experienced an opioid overdose and landed in the health system's emergency rooms. This innovative initiative aims to break the cycle of overdose and provide a lifeline to those in desperate need of help.

Bridging the Gap: A Comprehensive Approach to Opioid Overdose Recovery

Empowering the Transition Support Team

The city of San Diego is investing 0,000 this fiscal year to establish a dedicated Transition Support Team within UC San Diego Health. This specialized team will work directly with ER patients struggling with substance use disorders, providing immediate assistance and follow-up care. The team will include two case managers and a peer navigator – an individual with lived experience who can offer invaluable insights and guidance to both the patients and the medical care team.The Transition Support Team's mission is to ensure that individuals who have survived an overdose are not simply handed a piece of paper and sent back into the streets or their homes without access to vital resources. Instead, the team will work tirelessly to connect these patients with the support services they need, breaking the cycle of repeated overdoses and emergency room visits.

Seizing the Opportunity for Intervention

The city and UC San Diego Health recognize that the moments immediately following an overdose present a unique opportunity for intervention. When someone wakes up in the ER after a life-threatening close call, they are often more receptive to seeking help and making positive changes. The Transition Support Team aims to capitalize on this critical window, providing personalized assistance and connecting patients with the resources they need to begin their journey towards recovery.

Addressing the Alarming Opioid Crisis

The opioid epidemic has taken a devastating toll on the San Diego region, with nearly 3,600 people dying from opioid overdoses over the past eight years. Tragically, fentanyl has been the culprit in approximately 70% of these deaths. The sheer volume of opioid-related emergency room visits, with over 10,000 recorded in the same time period, has created a revolving door of crisis response that the city is determined to break.

Funding the Fight Against Opioids

The city's investment in the Transition Support Team is made possible by a portion of the million settlement San Diego received from a nationwide lawsuit targeting prescription opioid drug makers and distributors. This funding, which will be disbursed in annual chunks over the next 10 years, represents a significant commitment to addressing the opioid crisis head-on.In addition to the Transition Support Team, San Diego is also allocating million of its settlement funds towards educational efforts, further demonstrating its comprehensive approach to tackling this public health emergency.

Collaboration and Expertise

The partnership between the city of San Diego and UC San Diego Health brings together a wealth of expertise and resources to combat the opioid crisis. Chris Kahn, a professor of clinical emergency medicine at UC San Diego Health and the chief medical officer for the city, has described the opioid epidemic as an "all-hands-on-deck crisis," emphasizing the critical importance of this collaborative effort.The Transition Support Team will be deployed across multiple UC San Diego Health emergency departments, ensuring that individuals in need can access the specialized care and support they require, regardless of which facility they visit.

A Holistic Approach to Opioid Overdose Recovery

The Transition Support Team's approach goes beyond simply providing immediate medical attention. By including a peer navigator, the team recognizes the value of lived experience in understanding the real-world challenges faced by individuals struggling with substance use disorders. This unique perspective will not only benefit the patients but also educate the medical care team, fostering a more empathetic and effective approach to opioid overdose recovery.Through this comprehensive initiative, San Diego and UC San Diego Health are taking a significant step towards breaking the cycle of opioid overdoses and providing a lifeline to those in desperate need of support. By seizing the critical moments following an overdose and connecting patients with the resources they require, this innovative program aims to save lives and transform the trajectory of individuals and communities affected by the opioid crisis.