New Mobile Response Unit in Salisbury aims to address the opioid crisis
Opioid Crisis
Salisbury, Md. – The opioid crisis continues to be a topic of conversation when it comes to finding ways to help save lives and get people the help they need, and right here on the shore, local agencies are banning together to increase access to recovery resources in areas that desperately need it.
Salisbury Fire Department
“One pill, can kill.” That’s what you’ll see on the side of the Salisbury Fire Department’s new mobile unit. With the drug overdoses crippling the community, the fire department is using a car as a way to combat the crisis.
Fire Chief Rob Frampton tells us they’re on a mission to meet people where they are when they need help in the midst of struggling from substance abuse. “Last year we responded to over 100 opioid overdoses, this year were over 75, so we’ll probably be higher than that by the end of the year. and it’s a significant problem in the area… Part of the program is to basically develop a 360-degree care, approach to care. So that, you know, our EMT’s and paramedics in the field will meet an individual who has an addiction to opioids. This unit may or may not respond to the scene, but then, this unit does help them through different programs.”
Tidal Health
Jessica Stoner, nurse practitioner for Tidal Health works with the departments and says some people aren’t aware fentanyl can be found in cocaine and this program help test drugs and discourages drug use. “Our goal is to treat patients, this is one of the only programs that can go on scene and say a patient overdoses and wants treatment for an opioid use disorder, that can be started on buprenorphine at home so this is a new exciting treatment, So we know there’s geographical barriers on the Eastern Shore just to seek any type of care, and we see that with opioid abuse disorder as well.”
S.W.I.F.T. and M.D.C.N.
Community paramedic Miranda Webster works with Salisbury Wicomico Integrated First Care Team, also known as S.W.I.F.T. The unit is able to provide x-rays, dress wounds, and carries lifesaving tools like Narcan. She says this mobile until was a necessary addition to help not just addicts, but people overall. “This is a branch off of S.W.I.F.T. so EMS2 is mainly used for our M.D.C.N. Team, which is Minor Definitive Care Now. That’s were a paramedic, and a nurse practitioner respond real time to 911 calls, and we try to treat people on scene for minor issues minor problems… It’s a huge team, and there’s a lot of resources out there that people don’t know exist and that can help them stay in their homes and have a better quality of life.”
They want residents to remember, that one pill can kill. The Van is on the roads Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and citizens are asked to call 911 and the unit along with EMS will answer the calls. Tidal Health says National Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday, and they’re encouraging residents to drop off drug at their hospital or drug resource clinic.
