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 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
At the end of each metrics and the information narratives below there are citations to the Strategy or sub-Strategy from the Opioid Response Strategic Action Plan that is addressed or measured.
The OPTIONS Initiative most recent project-to-date monthly report.
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 1,604 referrals (60.2%) to Liaisons since October of 2021 when this data began being collected. (Strategy 7.g)
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. (Strategy 18.a)
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 – Dec 2022) OPTIONS Liaisons have received 1,604 referrals from law enforcement, 305 referrals from treatment providers, 72 referrals from emergency departments, and 10 referrals from emergency medical services. OPTIONS Liaisons have in turn referred 1,575 individuals to community-based treatment, 536 individuals to infectious disease testing, 591 individuals to syringe access programs, 41 individuals to the MaineMom program, 118 individuals to patient navigators, 73 individuals to rapid induction of medication for opioid use disorder at emergency departments, and 1,061 to a continuing source of naloxone. (Strategy 20.a)
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.
Of those clients referred to substance use disorder treatment providers (October 2020 – December 2022), 1,260 have attended their first appointment with the provider and 316 clients for whom it is not known if they engaged with the provider.
Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center
OPTIONS Interactive Business Analytics Dashboard
