• Katherine M Waye, Jonathan Goyer, Debra Dettor, Linda Mahoney, Elizabeth A Samuels, Jesse L Yedinak, and Marshall Brandon D L BDL Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Box G-S-121-2, Providence, RI, 02912, United States..
• Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Box G-S-121-2, Providence, RI, 02912, United States.
• Addict Behav. 2019 Feb 1; 89: 85-91.

BackgroundRhode Island has the tenth highest rate of accidental drug overdose deaths in the United States. In response to this crisis, Anchor Recovery Center, a community-based peer recovery program, developed programs deploying certified Peer Recovery Specialists to emergency departments (AnchorED) and communities with high rates of accidental opioid overdoses (AnchorMORE).ObjectivesThe purpose of this paper is to describe AnchorED and AnchorMORE's activities and implementation process.MethodsAnchorED data were analyzed from a standard enrollment questionnaire that includes participant contact information, demographics, and a needs assessment. The AnchorED program outcomes include number of clients enrolled, number of naloxone training sessions, and number of referrals to recovery and treatment services. Overdose deaths and naloxone distribution through AnchorMORE were mapped using Tableau software.ResultsFrom July 2016-June 2017, AnchorED had 1329 contacts with patients visiting an emergency department for reported substance misuse cases or suspected overdose. Among the contacts, 88.7% received naloxone training and 86.8% agreed to continued outreach with a Peer Recovery Specialist after their ED discharge. Of those receiving peer recovery services from the Anchor Recovery Community Center, 44.7% (n = 1055/2362) were referred from an AnchorED contact. From July 2016-June 2017, AnchorMORE distributed 854 naloxone kits in high-risk communities and provided 1311 service referrals.ConclusionThese findings indicate the potential impact peer recovery programs may have on engaging high-risk populations in treatment, overdose prevention, and other harm reduction activities. Additional research is needed to evaluate the reach of implementation and services uptake.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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