Combating Opioid Overdose through Community-Level Intervention (COOCLI) Grant

Throughout the entire nation, Hope Not Handcuffs, Hudson Valley, NY was one of eight programs selected as grant recipients for the C.O.O.C.L.I. grant. Additionally, HNH-HV was the only program in New York State selected. This federal grant study was offered through the University of Baltimore to evaluate programs such as Hope Not Handcuffs in HIDTA areas. Through this grant, we teamed up with S.U.N.Y. Albany School of Public Health who assisted us during the year-long evaluation period. The goal of this grant was to help measure the efficacy of pre-arrest diversion programs in treating those with substance use disorders (SUD). Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson-Valley, NY is pleased to announce that this grant was a success, and we have been recognized on a national level as a premier pre-arrest diversion program.

Key Takeaways

Reducing Overdoses

After following up with participants for four months after their initial intake, only one non-fatal overdose was reported out of 210 people connected to treatment.

Pathways

Your officers have been an intricate part of the success of this program. First introduced as a "self-referral" program where people could just walk into the police department, the real success was found when officers took an active role in the community utilizing the "officer referral" pathway.

Outcomes

Between December 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, 210 participants were connected to treatment through the collaboration with between law enforcement and Hope Not Handcuffs – Hudson Valley (HNH-HV) program

Future Direction

Moving forward, Hope Not Handcuffs will utilize the findings of this grant to focus more on our successes. We will enhance our partnerships with law enforcement by developing comprehensive law enforcement training modules on deflection and diversion.

If you wish to see the full grant study findings, please let us know!

Success Stories

“I just want to say how grateful we are for the Hope Not Handcuffs program. Our son overdosed on Fentanyl back in September and our family was devastated. Thankfully two doses of Narcan brought him back. We were lost and had no idea where to turn. Thankfully, the police told us about this program being offered for people struggling with drug addiction. My son did not have any health insurance. Hope Not Handcuffs was able to get him covered with health insurance. From there they found him a bed in a 30 day treatment center and upon completion they then found him a bed in a 90 day program (which he also successfully completed). During this time I continually received phone calls and messages from Hope Not Handcuffs following up on his care and progress. They have continued to monitor our son’s progress in his aftercare. Through their hard work and dedication I am thrilled to say our son is drug free and working hard to maintain his sobriety. One person in particular, Cathy went above and beyond. She listened, offered resources and even shared her own experiences. She is an amazing person and an asset to the program. We are so grateful for the program and all the wonderful people who have dedicated themselves to saving lives and giving people hope. Thank you, we are forever grateful!!” - Brenda D.

“I have been struggling with the disease of addiction since I was 13. It all started with marijuana and quickly progressed to heroin at 17. I’ve been in and out of jail and rehab up until now at age 26. Also, I have to mention I overdosed numerous times and been homeless a few times. At first I thought the HNH program was just another group of people getting paid to act like they care about addicts and in the beginning regardless of the strangers that rushed to the police station to help me, I wasn’t receptive at all. When I realized they were all volunteers and they really do care about my well-being, I slowly started to trust these people or as they call themselves “angels.” The HNH program played a big part in getting me to where I am at today. First and foremost, having someone you can reach out to when you are at your worst is just an indescribable feeling. I wasn’t as receptive to the help in the beginning, but because this program didn’t judge me and understood that it may take a while, I eventually reached out again sooner than if this program never existed. Having people who are in your “corner” during this battle with addiction plays a huge part in getting into treatment and getting help to be a better person. I was able to contact HNH early in the morning on social media and she stayed with me through the morning, all the way up until I was in a detox. I am extremely grateful for this program and I really hope they reach many more lives in this process.” - Steve P.

Thank You!

Without the police, our program would not be what it is today. Law enforcement is the key to this program’s success, and we value the relationship we have with your department.