Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial of Relay- NYC's Nonfatal Overdose Response Program

Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial of Relay- NYC's Nonfatal Overdose Response Program

The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has implemented Relay, a novel program that engages and intervenes with individuals in the ED following an opioid OD and for the next 90 days, with the goal of preventing subsequent OD events. The proposed randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of Relay on preventing subsequent opioid-related adverse events. A total of 350 eligible individuals with nonfatal opioid OD presenting to one of four participating EDs will be enrolled and randomized to one of two arms: 1) site-directed care (SDC) or 2) Relay-peer-delivered OD education and treatment linkage, including 90 days of peer navigation. Outcomes will be measured for 12 months through interviews and administrative health data.

Relay is a novel program that engages and intervenes with individuals in the ED following an opioid OD and for the next 90 days, with the goal of preventing subsequent OD events. Relay is delivered by trained peer navigators, who are DOHMH staff with lived substance use experience. Relay navigators provide counseling, linkage to services, and OD prevention education.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults (≥18 years)
• English- or Spanish-speaking
• Patient at a participating ED with nonfatal opioid OD.
• Currently residing in NYC

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to provide informed consent
• Currently incarcerated, currently living in another controlled environment prohibiting research contacts, or currently in police custody
• Known to be currently pregnant
• Already participating in the study (patients will only be enrolled into the study once)
• Already actively engaged in the Relay program (within the 90-day program window)
• Speaks only Spanish, at a site and time period when no Spanish-speaking RA is available