Quick Response Team marks 3 years of fighting overdose deaths in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Quick Response Team (QRT) in Louisville is working to help prevent overdose deaths.

Through the city's health department, the QRT helps connect people with overdose reversal medication, educational resources and treatment.

Recently, the team marked three years of work. It's a small group with just over a handful of members who provide understanding and support in overdose cases.

Each day, the team gets a list of referrals from Louisville Metro EMS, Louisville Fire and local police departments about overdoses. The team then visits people who have experienced an overdose within 72 hours. The QRT offers resources and can assist someone with getting treatment.

"We don't say no to anyone. If anyone wants help, we will be there no matter what," said Samantha Elkins, one of the members of the QRT.

Elkins said she struggled with opioid use disorder for years and is now using her "darkest days" to help be a light for someone else.

"You can't go to school to learn the pain that I went through. I don't wish it upon my worst enemy, right," she said. "... I can use my darkest days as something beneficial to help other people and let them know, like, I know how that feels."

Cillian Browne, the community health supervisor for QRT said he also has first-hand experience.

"I've been sober six years now. It's been a journey. It wasn't easy getting here, but it was worth it," he said.

Browne said he hopes to break down stigmas and provide education. He said in the past three years, the team has received thousands of referrals from local agencies and has helped connect more than 100 people to treatment.

"Hopefully we get to continue to grow and expand, cast a wider net out into the community, and essentially reach more folks that are struggling out there," he said. "Continue to be the middle person between a community member and the resources available in town and keep trying connect people to things that can help them."

According to the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, there were 1,984 overdose deaths last year in Kentucky. The report said that was a decrease of 9.8% from 2022. The report also said 496 residents of Jefferson County died from a drug overdose last year, which was a decrease from 518 deaths in 2022.

To contact the Quick Response Team, call 502-551-8509. The QRT can also be found on the city's website by clicking here.

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