ECRMC’s ‘Bridge Program’ battles addiction and stigma on International Overdose Awareness Day

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) - August 31 marks the 25th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day, a global initiative dedicated to remembering those lost to drug overdoses and taking definitive action to end the crisis.

Running under the theme "25 Years On. Still Needed," the day serves as a stark reminder that despite progress, drug overdose remains one of the world's most devastating public health challenges.

On the front lines of this crisis, healthcare workers in the Imperial Valley emphasize that overdoses are preventable. At El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC), medical staff regularly treat patients experiencing fentanyl or opioid overdoses, as well as individuals arriving in severe withdrawal.

According to hospital leadership, the first step to saving lives is reframing how society views addiction.

"A lot of people view opioid use disorder as some sort of moral failing or an issue with the person themselves, and we preferred to view it more as a treatable medical condition," said Dr. Rahul Nene, ECRMC’s Bridge Program Champion.

To address addiction as a medical reality, ECRMC operates the Bridge Program, a multi-layered support system integrated directly into the emergency department.

The program provides 24/7 evaluation, immediate medical treatment, and ongoing care navigation.

"Patients and families can come in at any time of the day," Dr. Nene explained. "The providers, physicians, or staff will evaluate the patient and see exactly what resources they require. We can start treatments directly in the emergency department, so if they're withdrawing or having cravings, we can start them with treatment on Suboxone, do a full needs assessment, and evaluate what is required to set them on the pathway to recovery."

The care does not end when a patient leaves the emergency room. ECRMC utilizes dedicated substance use navigators to bridge the gap between emergency intervention and long-term rehabilitation.

"There will be a substance use navigator who will also meet with the patient, help provide them additional resources, and then link them to community partners to help further care," Nene said. "We partner with a couple of outpatient clinics that ECRMC aligns with, and the substance use navigator helps coordinate patients to go to those clinics and continue with those next steps in treatment."

Even with continuous resources available, healthcare professionals acknowledge that deep-rooted social stigma remains an uphill battle, often preventing individuals from seeking help before it is too late.

"Unfortunately, one of the barriers to treatments is stigma," Nene noted. "Approaching these patients with a lot of empathy, listening to them, listening to their struggles, and understanding what's going on with them on a daily basis really allows you to connect with the patient better and provide better care for them."

Medical professionals stress that saving a life often happens before a patient ever reaches the hospital doors. Knowing how to identify an active overdose and having the right tools on hand can mean the difference between life and death.

Key Warning Signs of an Opioid Overdose:

• Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils"
• Loss of consciousness or falling asleep
• Slowed, shallow, or stopped breathing
• Cold, clammy skin or discolored skin and lips

If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, officials urge you to call 911 immediately and administer naloxone (Narcan), a safe medication that reverses opioid overdoses.

"Having Narcan on you is amazing," said Nene. "I say that is one of the steps that has been most impactful in decreasing deaths from opioid overdose—how available naloxone is."

ECRMC actively utilizes harm reduction tools as a core component of its community health strategy, aiming to mitigate lethal risks for active users.

"We know that patients, unfortunately, are going to continue using, and so having these available so that you can test and see if whatever substance that they are using has fentanyl, and being aware of those risks [is vital]," Nene said.

Hospital staff urge parents and community members to have open, honest conversations about the realities of synthetic drugs.

"It is incredibly important families and parents just know that, unfortunately, this stuff is out there. Talk to your family. Talk to your kids about that," Nene urged. "Just know that it is a thing, know that naloxone (Narcan) can help reverse it, and also be aware that fentanyl test strips are a thing."

To support local families, the Emergency Room at El Centro Regional Medical Center distributes fentanyl test strips and Narcan completely free of charge to any individual or family who requests them, no questions asked.