A post-overdose response team (PORT), is an overdose follow-up program that allows Community Paramedics to visit a person who experienced an overdose within 24-72 hours of the incident. PORTs provide support, education, and access to evidence-based treatment such as medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and other life-saving resources. People who have experienced an overdose are exponentially more likely to experience another overdose. Interventions such as PORT programs provide individuals with the information and resources they need to improve their health and safety. They create relationships with people who use drugs in the community and can offer a variety of wraparound health and social services.

A program proposal was developed in collaboration with Catawba County EMS to implement a PORT Community Paramedic program in fiscal year 2025. This has included collaboration with several stakeholders, including organizations willing to serve as PORT Program Providers like Kintegra, The Cognitive Connection, and McLeod.