https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/hhs/initiatives/closer.aspx

The Buncombe County Community Paramedic (PORT) program provides a Certified Peer Support Specialist to supplement traditional Emergency Services staff for individuals who have overdosed or are experiencing a substance use disorder crisis. Community Paramedicine is focused on substance use disorder support, emergency assistance with food and shelter, and basic medical training like wound support.

FY 2022 (July-June) 359 served, of these 89 intakes/SDOH plans

FY2023 (July through current date) 201 individuals served, of these 69 intakes/SDOH plans

Of those served, 90 Community Paramedicine/PORT participants made first appointment with MAHEC’s OBOT program (an additional 4 entered long term inpatient/residential programs before first appointment with MAHEC’s OBOT program).

The participants who made their first appointment to MAHEC’s OBOT team after MAT dosing from Community Paramedics:  

• 56 remain actively engaged
• 40 of these 56 have remained engaged with MAHEC’s OBOT for at least 1 month
• 35 have graduated to monthly appointments based on consistent negative drug screens and positive progress within their own recovery
• 15 entered Long term inpatient/residential treatment programs
• 17 obtained employment
• 9 entered sober living housing/obtained their own housing

The Post-Overdose Response Team continues to provide services via clinicians, peer support specialists, and paramedics. Funding for a majority of the PORT team changed in 2023, and is currently covered by Opioid Settlement money. As a result of this funding change, some programmatic measures (performance measures) stopped being tracked as grant funding and reporting requirements changed (i.e. missing final data for 2023).