Overdose Prevention Task Force

Established in 2016 under the name of the Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force through the Executive Order 14, the group reorganized in early 2024 as the Erie County Overdose Prevention Task Force (OPTF).

The Erie County OPTF provides a framework for organizations and individuals to collaborate, develop and implement best practices that build stronger clinical and community supports for people with substance use disorder, people who use drugs, and their families, and advocate for policies and systems changes that will save lives and prevent overdose deaths.

Quarterly meetings and regular workgroup sessions provide forums for data reporting and information sharing, planning and highlighting successful initiatives.

Overdose Prevention Task Force Committees

The Overdose Prevention Task Force has five (5) committees that work collaboratively to support the community with interventions and public health strategies to reduce overdose and overdose fatalities. The committees’ co-chairs work cooperatively with each other to reduce duplication in efforts and as a method to offer the broader community support to reduce overdose.

1. First Responders

Law enforcement, volunteer and professional fire departments and ambulance services.

Co-chairs: Valentine Zimniewicz and Kenneth Peterson

2. Education, Advocacy and Support

Community advocates, community groups, consumers and family members that are engaged in promoting initiatives and strategies to reduce overdose.

Co- chairs: Barbara Burns and Kenneth Gaston

3. Healthcare Providers

Hospitalist, primary care providers, emergency medicine, OB/GYNs, community healthcare providers and others in the medical community

Co-Chairs: Dr. Gale Burstein and Dr. Jeffery Lach

4. Harm Reduction

Professionals, peer Navigators and community health workers who educate and advocate for access to harm reduction supplies, messaging and strategies

Co-Chairs: Jennifer Garrigan and Rebekka Lip

5. Treatment Providers

Representatives from Treatment agencies who work directly with people with substance use disorders. 

Co-Chairs: Julianna Everdyke and Jen Seib

Task Force Quarterly Meeting Committee Presentations

Task Force Committee Presentations

Related Information 

• Peer Navigation & Treatment Support
• Naloxone (Narcan) Access & Training
• Harm Reduction Resources
• Harm Reduction Data
• Cannabis
• Medication Disposal & Needle Access/Disposal
• Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Program
• Harm Reduction Home Page

Contact

Phone: (716) 858-2958
Email: optf@erie.gov