Guilford County Solution to the Opioid Problem

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

GCSTOP provides participants with evidenced-based interventions to decrease opioid mortality in Guilford County. Guilford County Solution to the Opioid Problem (GCSTOP), is a program built around the community collaboration of non-traditional partners to prevent opioid overdose deaths in one county in central North Carolina. GCSTOP was established as a partnership between Guilford County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and UNC-Greensboro. The idea for GCSTOP was first formulated in 2016 as a post-overdose response team (PORT) program with the initial aim to reduce the number of overdose fatalities in Guilford County for individuals who survived an opioid overdose. The program launched in March 2018 after receiving an appropriation to Guilford County from the NC General Assembly. Today, GCSTOP has expanded to include: a safe syringe exchange program, weekly mobile pop-ups and delivery to high-risk communities including homelessness encampments, HCV testing and bridging to treatment, and services for justice-involved individuals in the County jails as well as cooperation with Greensboro Police Department's new LEAD diversion initiative for people who use opioids. Importantly, GCSTOP now operates, with a non-profit community partner, a low-barrier MOUD clinic for Buprenorphine. There are no fees to participants for the program. GCSTOP also provides assistance to participants to alleviate health barriers including help with housing referrals, clothing and food provision through partnership with the 2nd Harvest Food bank, and counseling and referral to treatment.