Cooper EMS is once again setting a national precedent in addiction medicine. On Thursday it announced that it has become the first emergency medical services (EMS) system in the United States to equip its paramedics with long-acting injectable buprenorphine, a move designed to bridge the perilous gap between overdose reversal and long-term recovery.
Since 2019, Cooper EMS has led the way as the first in the country to administer sublingual (oral) buprenorphine in the field. This latest expansion allows paramedics to provide an extended-release injection during an emergency encounter, offering patients one week to one month of continuous treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) from a single dose.
For many survivors of an opioid overdose, the hours following resuscitation are the most critical. While naloxone (Narcan) saves lives by reversing the overdose, it often leaves patients in acute withdrawal, which frequently leads to immediate reuse.
By initiating sustained treatment in the field, Cooper EMS aims to stabilize patients long enough for them to navigate the hurdles of the health care system.
“Too often, patients survive an overdose but fall through the cracks before they can access treatment,” Dr. Gerard Carroll, EMS medical director at Cooper University Health Care said. “By allowing paramedics to administer injectable buprenorphine, we’re not just reversing overdoses—we’re initiating sustained recovery at the point of care.”
Unlike daily oral medication, the long-acting injectable formulation (such as Brixadi or Sublocade) provides a steady release of medicine that:
- Eliminates daily dosing: Reduces the risk of missed doses due to housing instability or transportation issues.
- Suppresses Cravings: Continuously blocks opioid receptors to prevent withdrawal and reduce the urge to use.
- Extends the “Window of Opportunity”: Gives patients up to 30 days of protection to find a clinic, secure insurance, or arrange for social services.
The announcement coincides with the 10th anniversary of Cooper EMS providing services to the City of Camden. Over the last decade, the program has evolved from a standard emergency response unit into a national model for community-based public health.
In 2022, a study in the Annals of Emergency Medicine revealed that overdose patients treated with buprenorphine by Cooper paramedics were five times more likely to engage in addiction treatment within 30 days compared to those who did not receive the medication.
Cooper’s “Bupe FIRST” (Buprenorphine Field Initiation of Rescue Treatment) program has already been adopted by health systems in Newark and Paterson, as well as several other states. By adding the injectable option, Cooper EMS hopes to refine the national blueprint for how emergency responders can combat the opioid crisis.
