Preventing Overdose Deaths in Putnam

Putnam County has taken another step in its ongoing efforts to address the opioid crisis, with the establishment of a Suicide & Overdose Fatality Review Team. The newly formed, multi-disciplinary group is designed to conduct in-depth reviews of select local deaths in an effort to better understand and prevent future tragedies.

Earlier this month, the SOFR Team held a preparatory drill using a fictional case to simulate the overdose fatality review process. The exercise allowed team members to assess their readiness and engage in the type of careful, collaborative analysis required to address the many complex factors that can contribute to preventable deaths.

Team leadership includes Director of Mental Health Paul Tang, Dual Recovery Coordinator Lauren Johnson, Director of the Child Advocacy Center Marla Behler, the county’s entire Department of Mental Health, and Megan Castellano of Guardian Homefront.

“While fewer lives are being lost to overdose, that may not necessarily mean fewer people are at risk,” said Shanna Siegel, RN, education supervisor at the health department and co-coordinator of the SOFR Team. “The rate of opioid overdose deaths in Putnam varies year to year. We are also monitoring non-fatal overdoses, which increase a person’s likelihood of experiencing a fatal overdose. This known risk was a catalyst for our creation of the SOFR team.”

Johnson emphasized the importance of using real-life experiences to inform systemic change.

“When an individual is referred to me after a non-fatal overdose or other substance-involved crisis, I work with them and their families to help connect them to appropriate support and identify treatment barriers,” she said. “Establishing a fatality review team gives us an opportunity to analyze some of these struggles I see daily and make applicable recommendations for systems-level change.”

Behler drew on her experience with the county’s Child Fatality Review Team.

“Preventable deaths, including overdose and suicide, devastate families,” she said. “Examining in closer detail the facets of a person’s life and their interactions with our system of care is one small way we can honor the memories of those lost while working to prevent these tragedies in the future.”

The SOFR initiative is supported by the Putnam County BR;DGE Alliance in collaboration with state and federal partners, including the Overdose Response Strategy – a national partnership between public health and public safety agencies that aims to reduce overdoses through data-sharing and innovative prevention strategies.

New York ORS team members Lisa Worden, public health analyst with the CDC Foundation, and Jim Hawley, drug intelligence officer with the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, provided support for the mock review.

In a joint statement, they said: “Putnam County’s mock OFR showcased a dynamic partnership in action. Their multidisciplinary team engaged in a thoughtful and compassionate analysis of the simulated case, reflecting a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the complexities of overdose response. They approached the exercise as a hands-on opportunity to build critical skills and foster meaningful connections essential for conducting real-life OFRs… Their commitment, synergy, and robust cross-sector collaboration are impressive and position them as a leading example of an OFR team in the state.”

Paul Tang, director of mental health and SOFR Team facilitator, highlighted the group’s mission.

“This team is charged with identifying gaps and improvements to drive meaningful local interventions, and we remain committed to person-centered approaches,” he said. “We accomplish all of this through honest dialogue about our respective agency roles and always honoring the life of each person, and respecting surviving loved ones.”

“This initiative demonstrates our county’s proactive approach to confronting one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time,” added County Executive Kevin Byrne. “We are proud to support this collaborative work, which is rooted in data, compassion, and a shared commitment to saving lives and strengthening our communities.”

The BR;DGE Alliance was launched in March 2023 to create a sustainable and equitable community of providers and residents to expand person-centered services, enhance awareness, and promote health and safety for people who use drugs. It encourages anyone struggling or who loves someone struggling with mental health or substance use challenges to reach out for help.

Resources for Putnam residents can be found at putnamcountyny.com/thebridge.