Key Takeaways
- KORE creates police-treatment partnerships responding to overdoses with recovery connection
- Officers respond to overdose calls with naloxone, stabilization, and treatment referrals
- Combines enforcement perspective with treatment-focused follow-up increasing recovery engagement
- Reduces repeat emergency responses through treatment access instead of repeated overdoses
- Community implementations show increased treatment admission and reduced overdose deaths
Origins and Purpose of the KORE Program
The Kentucky Overdose Response Effort (KORE) emerged from recognition that traditional enforcement-only approaches fail to address addiction underlying overdoses. Police respond to overdose calls repeatedly for same individuals without treatment access, creating endless cycle of emergency response and overdose.
KORE reimagines police response to overdose, combining emergency stabilization with treatment connection and supportive follow-up. Officers trained in addiction response and equipped with naloxone provide immediate life-saving intervention while simultaneously linking people toward recovery services.
KORE recognizes that addiction is public health issue requiring treatment response alongside emergency services, shifting police role toward recovery facilitation.
How KORE Operates: Police Response Model
When KORE officers respond to overdose calls, they immediately provide naloxone if person not breathing, then stay with individual while emergency services arrive. Rather than arrest focus, officers assess person's recovery readiness and provide information about local treatment options.
Follow-up is crucial KORE component. Officers or trained specialists contact overdose survivors within 24 hours, checking on their health and discussing treatment options. This rapid follow-up dramatically increases treatment admission rates compared to standard overdose response.
Response Protocol
KORE response steps combine emergency intervention with treatment connection.
- 1Respond to overdose emergency call with naloxone and medical support
- 2Stabilize person and facilitate emergency medical response
- 3Assess responsiveness and medical status
- 4Provide immediate treatment information and options
- 5Arrange follow-up contact within 24 hours
- 6Connect with counselors for further treatment discussion
- 7Facilitate treatment admission when person ready
- 8Provide ongoing support during recovery journey
Partnership with Treatment Providers
KORE success depends on strong partnerships between police departments and addiction treatment providers. Police identify people needing treatment, while clinicians provide assessment, placement, and ongoing care. Communication between agencies ensures coordinated care.
Treatment providers offer priority admission for KORE referrals, recognizing that immediate access following overdose increases likelihood of treatment engagement. Waiting lists that delay admission lose motivation and increase relapse before treatment starts.
Police-treatment partnerships work best when officers understand that treatment is primary goal, not enforcement or punishment of overdose survivors.
Overdose as Treatment Opportunity
Overdose represents critical intervention moment when person's denial and resistance to recovery may temporarily lift. Immediate proximity to death creates emotional opening for considering treatment options. KORE capitalizes on this moment of vulnerability and reflection.
Surviving overdose often triggers reflection about addiction consequences and recovery willingness. Rather than missing this opportunity, KORE immediately presents treatment options while motivation peaks. Research shows this timing significantly increases treatment entry.
- Overdose survival creates window for recovery reflection
- Immediate treatment information while motivation high
- Rapid treatment admission prevents motivation loss
- Family involvement when applicable increases support
- Ongoing outreach for people initially refusing treatment
- Multiple contact attempts showing commitment to recovery
Outcomes and Community Impact of KORE
Communities implementing KORE have documented increased treatment admission rates and reduced repeat overdoses among program participants. Some KORE programs report 30-40% treatment admission rates following police referral, substantially higher than standard overdose response.
Repeated responder statistics show KORE effectiveness. Departments tracking overdose calls notice reduced frequency to same addresses once KORE enrolls people in treatment. This reduces strain on emergency services while improving community outcomes.
Documented Impacts
Research and experience data demonstrate KORE effectiveness across communities.
- Increased treatment admission rates (typically 20-40% of referrals)
- Reduced repeat emergency responses to same individuals
- Improved treatment engagement and completion rates
- Decreased overdose deaths in KORE communities
- Lower re-arrest rates for people receiving treatment
- Improved relationships between police and communities
Expanding KORE and Scaling Success
While KORE started in select Kentucky communities, expansion across state continues. Successful models provide template for other regions, though implementation varies based on local treatment infrastructure and police culture.
National attention to KORE has prompted adoption in other states, recognizing that police-treatment partnerships benefit all communities experiencing overdose epidemics. Training programs enable police from new regions to implement KORE principles.
KORE demonstrates that police can play constructive recovery-focused role beyond enforcement, improving outcomes for both individuals and communities.
Recovery After KORE Referral
For individuals referred through KORE to treatment, success depends on engaging with offered services, working with clinicians, and committing to recovery. Initial treatment may occur locally, though some people benefit from intensive out-of-state programs.
Trust SoCal accepts KORE referrals and works with police departments and treatment providers to coordinate care. For people needing California treatment, our team assists with placement and family communication. Call (949) 280-8360 to discuss KORE referral or treatment options for anyone recently experiencing overdose.
- 1Accept KORE officer's intervention as opportunity, not punishment
- 2Honestly assess overdose impact and addiction severity
- 3Consider treatment options presented in follow-up
- 4Engage with local provider or explore out-of-state placement
- 5Commit to recovery work during initial treatment
- 6Build support system and relapse prevention plan
Trust SoCal Editorial Team, Clinical Review Board
Editorial & Clinical Review