For Immediate Release: 8/11/2016 4:08 pm
Worcester, MA (August 11, 2016) - Over the past several years, August and September have been the worst months for opioid-related overdoses in our community and beyond. In 2014, there was a significant increase in the number of opioid related deaths during the end of the summer.
Since then, the City of Worcester, the Department of Health and Human Services, and our community partners have partnered to respond to the national opioid epidemic - equipping all first responders with life-saving Narcan; training non-emergency city personnel on the use of Narcan; collecting hundreds of pounds of unused prescriptions; instituting the first-ever needle exchange program with AIDS Project Worcester; conducting training for medical professionals on the dangers of overprescribing pain medication; and working to alert the public to the dangers of addiction. The City of Worcester continues to collect unused prescription drugs at a dropbox at Worcester Police Department Headquarters and at all neighborhood watch meetings.
"Battling the opioid epidemic is a top priority for the city, and it's a battle we intend to win," said City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. "From responding to overdoses, public education about addiction and recovery, From prevention to treatment to recovery, the City and our community partners are going all-in to fight this epidemic."
As part of that ongoing effort, several events will be held this month, leading up to National Recovery Month in September.
Rally 2 Recovery
A 40-mile fundraising motorcycle ride from Ware to Worcester to support parental support group Learn to Cope, followed by an event at Gateway Park with food, live music and officials showing their support including City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. The event takes place from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Saturday, August 13th. Rally 2 Recovery's mission is to help raise awareness about opioid addiction and help Learn to Cope raise money for outreach through its education and support groups. For more information about the event visit rally2recovery.com.
Overdose Recognition and Response Training
The Worcester Police Department will offer free training for the public on how to recognize and intervene during an opioid overdose using nasal Narcan. This training event will take place at 5:30 PM August 23rd at the Worcester Public Library. Interested parties can RSVP by calling the Worcester Division of Public Health at (508) 799-8548 or emailing health@worcesterma.gov.
Worcester DPH encourages health care providers, substance abuse treatment service providers, first responders and the public to exercise increased vigilance in promptly identifying suspected overdose victims and taking appropriate action. The Good Samaritan Law provides protection to people who respond to an overdose and call 911. The law is intended to encourage people to report drug overdoses as soon as possible, even if drugs are present at the scene. AIDS Project Worcester's Overdose Prevention and Narcan distribution program provides free Narcan to those who are likely to witness an overdose. Learn to Cope, which has a chapter in Worcester, also provides free Narcan to family members of those with a substance use disorder. Narcan is also available for purchase at CVS and Walgreen's Pharmacies in the City of Worcester.
Overdose Awareness Day with a Candlelight Vigil
The Worcester Department of Health and Human Services, along with our community partners will honor International Overdose Awareness Day, with a candlelight vigil and an addiction and recovery awareness campaign at 5:30 PM August 31st at the Worcester Common. International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. There will be an opportunity for people to receive information and referral to services for addiction and recovery. The event will provide an opportunity for the public to express sorrow while also raising awareness on the actions needed to provide more services for recovery and improve understanding of the opioid abuse epidemic. Participation is free.
