EB HOPE

Plymouth County Outreach Reminds Residents of Good Samaritan Law

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Friday, Dec. 1, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Plymouth County Outreach Reminds Residents of Good Samaritan Law

PCO was Recently Referenced on a National Level in a Report by Drug-Free Communities

This holiday season, Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) and police chiefs throughout Plymouth County are reminding citizens of the state’s Good Samaritan Law.

“With many family members and friends getting together and coming home for the holidays, we want to again make citizens aware of this crucial tool that will help save lives,” East Bridgewater Police Chief Scott Allen said. “Losing anyone to a drug overdose is heartbreaking. Because this is supposed to be such a special time of year, some of the saddest cases we’ve dealt with are the ones that occur during the holidays.”

The Good Samaritan Law (M.G.L. 94C §34A) states that a person experiencing a drug-related overdose (or someone with the overdosing party) who seeks medical assistance will not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance.

In addition, the law allows for a person to possess, administer and receive a prescription for the overdose-reversing drug Narcan.

It should be noted, the law does not prevent anyone from being criminally charged with trafficking, distribution or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

“While the holidays are a great time of year, it can be a time when some people are at their most vulnerable. If you are with someone who has overdosed, we urge you to call 911 to get that person help immediately,” said Plymouth Police Chief Michael Botieri. “Even if you have Narcan, overdose victims need professional medical assistance. Calling for help can and does save lives.”

Plymouth County Outreach is an opioid prevention and recovery coalition made up of 27 municipal police departments in Plymouth County, along with the Bridgewater State University Police.

PCO has partnered with healthcare, treatment and recovery agencies, along with local coalitions, faith-based organizations and four of the five hospitals in the county, to help overcome the opioid epidemic in Plymouth County.

Program initiatives such as drop-in centers, Narcan training, proactive outreach efforts, in-person overdose follow-up visits and real-time overdose data collection, were recently recognized on a national level.

As part of the Brockton Area Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative, the program was referenced as a key strategy at the local level in the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program National Evaluation end-of-year report. The report was released in September by the Executive Office of the President and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

“While no one strategy is likely to fully address opioids across communities, several promising practices from a DFC coalition in Massachusetts provide further evidence of the central role that DFC coalitions can play,” the report reads. “These practices are innovative and result from the cross-sector collaboration that is at the core of the DFC program.”

“Being recognized on a national level for the work we have been doing right here in Plymouth County shows that our combined efforts can make a difference in battling this epidemic,” Chief Allen said. “Our newly formed advisory group, made up of 12 chiefs in the county, will only serve to strengthen our approach.”

The PCO Administrative Advisory Board consists of:

  • Abington Chief David Majenski
  • Brockton Chief John Crowley and Lt. Richard Linehan
  • Carver Chief Marc Duphily
  • East Bridgewater Chief Scott Allen
  • Hanover Chief Walter Sweeney
  • Hingham Chief Glenn Olsson
  • Middleboro Chief Joseph Perkins
  • Pembroke Chief Richard Wall
  • Plymouth Chief Michael Botieri
  • Rockland Chief John Llewellyn
  • Scituate Chief Michael Stewart
  • Wareham Chief Kevin Walsh

Plymouth County Outreach is a collaborative of police departments throughout Plymouth County led by the following chiefs: Abington Chief David Majenski, Bridgewater Chief Christopher Delmonte, Bridgewater State University Chief David Tillinghast, Brockton Chief John Crowley, Carver Chief Marc Duphily, Duxbury Chief Matthew Clancy, East Bridgewater Chief Scott Allen, Halifax Chief Ted Broderick, Hanover Chief Walter Sweeney, Hanson Chief Michael Miksch, Hingham Chief Glenn Olsson, Hull Chief John Dunn, Kingston Chief Maurice Splaine, Lakeville Chief Frank Alvihiera, Marion Chief Lincoln Miller, Marshfield Chief Phillip Tavares, Mattapoisett Chief Mary Lyons, Middleboro Chief Joseph Perkins, Norwell Chief Ted Ross, Pembroke Chief Richard Wall, Plymouth Chief Michael Botieri, Plympton Chief Patrick Dillon, Rochester Chief Paul Magee, Rockland Chief John Llewellyn, Scituate Chief Michael Stewart, Wareham Chief Kevin Walsh, West Bridgewater Chief Victor Flaherty and Whitman Chief Scott D. Benton.

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EB Hope Unveils New Website Design

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East Bridgewater Police Department
Scott Allen, Chief of Police
153 Central St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 3, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

EB Hope Unveils New Website Design

EAST BRIDGEWATER – Police Chief Scott Allen and East Bridgewater Help Outreach Prevention Education (EB HOPE) Director Susan Silva are pleased to announce a new website design for the non-profit organization aimed at helping those suffering from the disease of addiction.

On the new ebhopes.net site, interested parties can easily obtain information about upcoming events, read the latest news from EB HOPE, obtain vital resources, learn about access to treatment, and hear real stories of hope and recovery from the region. The website is also optimized for mobile devices and incorporates social media.

“EB HOPE provides assistance to anyone affected by the substance use epidemic. We bring together the best resources in the area and aggressively reach out to the community so that everyone is aware that recovery is possible,” Chief Allen said. “Our new website gives us a modern tool to aid in our outreach and education efforts.”

The site includes an integrated events calendar detailing all of EB HOPE’s Outreach Drop-in Center times and locations and a news blog for the latest posts and news releases from the organization.

The website was offered free of charge by a local design studio, Culp Design, based in East Bridgewater. EB Hope would like to thank Culp Design and Stephen Culp for the design work.

“Our friends and sponsors help ensure that EB HOPE’s funds always go toward program services,” Silva said. “Please support and patronize them, as they have been very generous to us!”

EB HOPE’s sponsors include Culp Design, the East Bridgewater Business Association, John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC, Teamsters Local 653, The Kiwanis Club of East Bridgewater, Batti’s Auto Body, Everett’s Auto Parts, Kingston Propane, and Bridgewater Savings.

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EB HOPE Hires New Operations Administrator

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East Bridgewater Police Department
Scott Allen, Chief of Police
153 Central St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

EB HOPE Hires New Operations Administrator

Lauren White joins EB HOPE as their new part-time Operations Administrator (Courtesy Photo).

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen and East Bridgewater Help Outreach Prevention Education (EB HOPE) Director Susan Silva are pleased to announce that Lauren White will join EB HOPE as a part-time Operations Administrator.

White previously interned for EB HOPE while studying healthcare and criminology at Stonehill College. Set to graduate in May, White will spearhead this new position through June with funding through the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS).

As Operations Adminstrator, White will develop and implement strategic communication plans for EB HOPE, as well as utilize marketing techniques to promote the Drop-In Center, which happens every other Thursday at Community Covenant Church, 400 East Pleasant St.

White will also help fine-tune EB HOPE’s data collection process and identify those who need follow-up care through the outreach initiative.

“As EB HOPE continues to gain recognition and expand to other communities, we are grateful for the opportunity to hire Lauren as our Operations Administrator,” Chief Allen said. “I’d like to thank the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services for granting us the funds to better serve those suffering from the disease of addiction in the East Bridgewater Community.”

In addition to interning for EB HOPE, White has significant healthcare experience. She is a licensed nursing assistant, a Certified Last Steps Advance Care Planning and a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Facilitator, and is trained to administer Narcan. She currently works as a nursing assistant at the Genesis Mineral Springs Care and Rehabilitation Center and previously interned at Memorial Hospital MaineHealth, both in North Conway, N.H.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Lauren to the team,” Silva said. “Her experience in healthcare and familiarity with EB HOPE will serve our community well.”

EB HOPE secured the funding for this position through their partnership with the Brockton Area Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative.

“The Brockton Area Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative was given the opportunity to apply for additional funding through BSAS this year to further the capacity of existing initiatives around the consumption and consequences of opioid use,” said Hilary Dubois, Director of the Brockton Area Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative. “Based upon an assessment by BSAS through the Brockton Collaborative, it was determined that EB Hope’s Drop-In Center would benefit tremendously from additional support. As a Collaborative, we are thrilled that the funding became available and know the Drop-In Center will put this funding to good use.”

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East Bridgewater Police Department Releases Documentary Highlighting EB HOPE

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East Bridgewater Police Department
Chief Scott Allen, Chief of Police
153 Central St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

East Bridgewater Police Release Documentary Highlighting EB HOPE

EAST BRIDGEWATER – The East Bridgewater Police Department and EB HOPE (Help Outreach Prevention Education) are pleased to announce that EB HOPE has released a documentary highlighting their drop-in center.

In November 2015, EB HOPE began the first of its bi-monthly drop-in center sessions, which were created to proactively assist people suffering from substance use disorders and their family and friends.

The documentary features EB HOPE co-founders Susan Silva and Chief Allen, as well as interviews with treatment centers who partner with the organization and attend the bi-monthly drop-in sessions.

Nearly 350 people have received direct services from EB HOPE, including those suffering from substance use disorders, their family members, and loved ones.

The next drop-in center will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5-9 p.m. at the East Bridgewater Community Covenant Church, 400 Pleasant St.

Additionally, EB HOPE is hosting a benefit concert for substance abuse recovery this Saturday, Sept. 10, on the East Bridgewater Common. The event will include live entertainment, food, raffles, community outreach and guest speakers.

“I am incredibly pleased to further spread the message of EB HOPE and its success,” Chief Allen said. “I’d like to thank all who were involved and those who continue, day in and day out, to aide the mission of the organization.”

About EB HOPE:

EB HOPE is a nonprofit volunteer organization that launched in 2011. It is a collaboration of members from the community, including police, school department personnel, town government, drug treatment and recovery members, the clergy and residents suffering from substance abuse and/or their family members.

Substance abuse assistance and resources provided by the program include bi-monthly meetings, information on the availability of mental health services, training on the use of nasal Naloxone (Narcan), referral and access to treatment services, family education and support, and faith-based intervention and support.

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