RIDGEFIELD, Wash. — First responders in Clark County are participating in a pilot project through the Washington State Department of Health in which they are offering patients an additional medication to help with recovery.
The pilot project focuses on the use of buprenorphine to ease the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
The Clark-Cowlitz acute-level Cares Unit — which responds to overdoses, suicide attempts and other mental health calls — is stocked with the new medication. Often, when the two-person team arrives on scene following a full response by firefighters or paramedics, the victim is unconscious.
"They're possibly not breathing; they may be blue or might have gone into arrest," said paramedic Ryan Kempf, with Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue's Cares Unit.
The co-response team administers Narcan, a common medication used to help reverse the effects of an overdose, and now, thanks to participation in the pilot project, they carry the medication buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine helps when people are roused from an overdose and wake up anxious, scared or angry.
"They're agitated, uncomfortable, upset — not feeling well," said Mike Jackson, Clark-Cowlitz Assistant Fire Chief, "... and they're desiring to have that same high experience they were having before, which is part of the substance-use disorder problem."
Sam Lewis, the Cares Unit program manager, added, "They can go to the E.D. (emergency department) and get treatment there, or they refuse and go home and do it all over again. We offer a third option, and it works."
The so-called third option is offered by the co-response team, which includes both a paramedic and a behavioral crisis counselor. The buprenorphine soothes withdrawal symptoms, especially after receiving Narcan. The patients are informed about the medication's benefits.
The medicine's effects make it easier for the crew on scene to calmly discuss next steps with the patient, including treatment and follow-up.
Crisis counselor Jeanie Wadiak said, "Most of these people don't know they have mental health issues, so it's the first time they're meeting someone and being told, 'This is what this is, and you get help with it.'"
She said the benefits of buprenorphine extend well beyond the life-or-death crisis. The drug can be used long term with limited side effects to deal with the challenges of sobriety.
The Washington State Department of Health is hoping emergency medical service providers in all counties will join the pilot project to offer patients long-term relief throughout the state.
"This just gives that link that gives them a chance to find a different way," Wadiak said, "and find a way back to normal life again."
Seven counties are participating in the pilot project centering on the use of buprenorphine, and health department officials are encouraging more to join. Clark County's team expects the project to continue for at least a year.
