The Thematic Dashboard: OPTIONS Initiative contains information and metrics regarding the Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone, and Safety Initiative. The OPTIONS initiative is a coordinated effort of state agencies to improve the health of Mainers using substances through harm reduction strategies, helping them on the road to recovery, and aiming to reduce the number of nonfatal and fatal drug overdoses. For more information visit the OPTIONS initiative website.
Metrics in this dashboard include the following:
- Proactive referrals made to OPTIONS Liaisons
- The number of overdose education and anti-stigma trainings conducted by OPTIONS Liaisons as well as the number of individuals trained
- Referrals to treatment, harm reduction, prevention, and recovery services by OPTIONS Liaisons
- Naloxone distributed by the OPTIONS Liaisons
- Housing status of OPTIONS clients
The OPTIONS Initiative most recent project-to-date reports.
The OPTIONS Initiative Monthly Report for September 2024
Proactive referrals by law enforcement and other entities to OPTIONS Liaisons linking persons with problematic substance use to treatment and recovery services.
In Maine, (OPTIONS) initiative embeds licensed behavioral health clinicians into one law enforcement department in each of the State’s 16 counties. The Liaisons de-escalate behavioral health crises, engage in postoverdose follow up visits, and refer persons in need, as well as affected others, to community- and state-based services to address problematic substance use. Law enforcement officers have made 3,831 referrals (51%) to Liaisons since October of 2021 when this data began being collected.
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.
Through the OPTIONS Initiative, the State of Maine is dedicated to ensuring the availability of naloxone (Narcan) for individuals at greatest risk of experiencing overdose
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.
OPTIONS Liaisons increase the awareness, understanding, utilization, and access of harm reduction strategies and resources
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.
The OPTIONS initiative engages people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in harm reduction strategies as well as options for treatment and recovery services
The State of Maine is committed to providing resources and supports for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. For persons experiencing housing instability and houselessness, OPTIONS Liaisons are an important linkage to services for address problematic substance use and substance use disorder.
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.
The State is promoting a comprehensive and integrative system of care and referrals between health care and harm reduction services
The OPTIONS Liaisons serve as important connectors between law enforcement, health care, and harm reduction. Since data on these metrics has been tracked (Oct 2021 – Mar 2024) OPTIONS Liaisons have received 3,831 referrals from law enforcement, 663 referrals from treatment providers, 176 referrals from emergency departments, and 87 referrals from emergency medical services. OPTIONS Liaisons have in turn referred 3,010 individuals to community-based treatment, 919 individuals to infectious disease testing, 1,165 individuals to syringe access programs, 54 individuals to the MaineMom program, 292 individuals to patient navigators, 117 individuals to rapid induction of medication for opioid use disorder at emergency departments, and 2,454 to a continuing source of naloxone.
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.
