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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group (DIG) initiatives
3:46:42
ยท
88 sec
Dr. Graham explains the role of OCME's Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group (DIG) in supporting families affected by overdose deaths and connecting them with crucial services.
- DIG works with surviving loved ones and close contacts following an overdose death
- The program evolved from years of work on the front lines of the overdose crisis
- DIG has reached more than 2,500 close contacts of those who died from overdose
- Nearly three-quarters of those reached have accepted direct services and referrals to potentially life-saving interventions
- The DIG program is staffed by social workers, epidemiologists, and program specialists
- This model may be applied to help populations affected by other public health challenges
Jason Graham
3:46:42
This special relationship built on trust gives us an opportunity to play a more expanded role for families with the aim of saving the lives of those still at risk after tragedy occurs.
3:46:53
Our embrace of this role exemplifies our core value of service, how OCME innovates to meet the evolving needs of communities.
3:47:01
Our growing work to help the loved ones of those lost to overdose illustrates this innovation.
3:47:07
The Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group, or DIG, works with surviving loved ones in close contacts following an overdose death.
3:47:13
DIG evolved from our years of work on the front lines of the overdose crisis where our data over time showed that those who experience the death of a loved one from overdose often struggle with unmet needs of their own, from grief counseling to accessing social services and assistance with substance use.
3:47:31
DIG expanded in 2022 to help this population make connections, and to date, more than 2,500 close contacts of those who died from overdose have been reached.
3:47:40
Nearly three quarters of those reached have accepted direct services and referrals to potentially life saving interventions.
3:47:47
Our DIG program is staffed by social workers, epidemiologists, program specialists pioneering an inspiring model for how OCME can help populations affected by other public health challenges.
3:48:00
While embracing innovation in the service of communities, OCME also stays grounded in our fundamental duty to provide answers for families no matter how long it takes.