The Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) is an overdose follow-up program that allows agencies to visit a person within 24-72 hours following an overdose incident. PORT programs identify individuals who have recently experienced an overdose by collaborating with organizations that respond to overdoses in their community, primarily Emergency Medical Services, law enforcement, and hospital emergency departments. Programs typically use some combination of phone, text message, or in-person follow-up options to ensure participants have access to all the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. PORTs provide support, education, and access to evidence-based treatment such as medication for opioid use disorder and other life-saving resources. PORT teams extend respect and dignity to individuals, while empowering them to take control of their own health and wellness. PORTs provide non-judgmental, noncoercive care, allowing each individual to determine what they need and what services they want to use. 

In 2019, the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services in partnership with the NC Division of Public Health hosted several regional trainings for post-overdose response team (PORT) development across the state.. In 2020, a Post Overdose Response Toolkit was released for communities to use to implement a PORT program. Post Overdose Response Teams may also be referred to as a Quick Response Team (QRT) or a Rapid Response Team (RRT).

The Opioid Community Paramedic Program continues to thrive in Yadkin County. This position is serving those suffering from substance abuse, as well as our Adult Crisis Collaborative program. The Paramedic continues to case manage each community member assigned to the PORT program. For 2024, the following data points were provided:

• 209 Suspected overdoses
• 11 Suspected fatal overdoses
• 54 Naloxone kits given