2019 - 2023 | Rhode Island Department of Health
Canvass to Save Lives: Saving Lives One Knock at a Time
The opioid epidemic severely impacted Rhode Island, particularly in the South Side of Providence, home to the 02907 Health Equity Zone (HEZ). In response, the Rhode Island Department of Health funded the Community Overdose Engagement (CODE) project in 2019 to address the overdose crisis in this diverse community. Reach Consulting (Reach) managed the project in partnership with organizations like West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, Amos House, and Project Weber/Renew.
This crisis intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, with overdose deaths rising by 28.1%. The pandemic also posed significant obstacles to direct community engagement. Mistrust and stigma associated with substance use disorders made community engagement challenging.
The project began with a comprehensive needs assessment, which included stakeholder interviews, surveys, and data analysis. This assessment revealed that many overdoses were occurring in private residences, beyond the reach of traditional harm reduction efforts.
In response, Reach developed the “Canvass to Save Lives” initiative, featuring door-to-door outreach by Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. These specialists provided education on overdose prevention, distributed Naloxone, and connected residents with recovery resources. The initiative utilized bilingual materials and a mobile app to track interactions and continuously refine strategies.
The success of the pilot led to further expansions in 2022 and 2023, significantly enhancing overdose prevention efforts in the 02907 Health Equity Zone.
Campaign Impact:
Peer Recovery Specialists knocked on 23,267 doors, distributing bilingual flyers at every doorstep, engaged in 2,253 positive interactions with residents, and provided 1,513 Naloxone kits with on-the-spot training.