Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Plymouth County Highlighted in State Report on Decline of Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths

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Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Plymouth County Highlighted in State Report on Decline of Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths

The Police Chiefs of Plymouth County and Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) are pleased to announce that the county was singled-out and recognized by the state today for the many ongoing efforts countywide in helping to reduce the number of opioid-related overdose deaths.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued its quarterly report on opioid-related overdose deaths among Massachusetts residents today. The report states that overdose deaths in Massachusetts are continuing to decline, falling an estimated four percent between 2016 and 2018. The statistics in Plymouth County show even better results.

“While the report shows a decline in the opioid-related overdose death rate statewide, there were also particularly notable declines in some pockets of the state. One such place was in Plymouth County, including the city of Brockton, which experienced a notable decrease in deaths in 2018 compared with 2017,” the report states.

In its county-by-county report, the state DPH indicates that there was a 26% drop in overdose deaths in Plymouth County from 2017 to 2018.

In March, Plymouth County Outreach released the data from its 2018 Annual Report, showing a more conservative, but still impactful 18 percent decrease in fatal overdoses and a 13 percent decrease in non-fatal overdoses in Plymouth County, compared to 2017. It should be noted that the data compiled by PCO is collected differently than the data compiled by state, thus the difference in percentages.

“To see Plymouth County recognized in the state’s report only further validates the hard work that we have been doing with Plymouth County Outreach over the past few years,” East Bridgewater Police Chief Scott Allen said. “As our outreach efforts and capabilities continue to expand and grow, we hope to see those numbers drop further until they are down to zero.”

Last October, PCO was awarded the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Community Policing Award.

In addition, PCO is currently eight months into a two-year, federal Bureau of Justice Assistance grant (Comprehensive Opioid Site-Based Program grant), which is providing $496,000 to PCO to expand and build upon the great work of the coalition throughout the county.

Earlier today, the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) announced that P.A.A.R.I. has been awarded a $930,000 Integrative Behavioral Health grant by South Shore Health.

South Shore Health awarded $2.4 million to nonprofit groups this spring to support behavioral healthcare in Plymouth and Norfolk counties. P.A.A.R.I. was one of two nonprofit groups selected to receive a five-year grant for $930,000 this cycle.

The grant will support a new partnership between P.A.A.R.I. and Plymouth County Outreach. Over the next five years, P.A.A.R.I. will work with PCO to implement a “hub model” throughout the county to expand the behavioral health services available to the community, and coordinate outreach visits for individuals identified as being at acutely elevated risk due to substance use and/or mental health issues.

About Plymouth County Outreach: 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, Brockton Police Lt. Richard Linehan, 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 John Garcia, 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 Robert Small, Rockland Chief John Llewellyn, Scituate Chief Michael Stewart, Wareham Chief John Walcek, West Bridgewater Chief Victor Flaherty and Whitman Chief Scott D. Benton.

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Groveland Police Follow School Buses to Ensure Safe Transports

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Groveland Police Department
Jeffrey Gillen, Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018

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

Groveland Police Follow School Buses to Ensure Safe Transports

The Groveland Police Department is shadowing school buses along their routes to ensure drivers are obeying state laws. (Courtesy Photo Georgetown Police)

GROVELAND — To ensure children are able to safely enter and exit their school buses, and that drivers are aware of the rules of the road, the Groveland Police Department is shadowing school buses along their routes.

Beginning the week of Nov. 19, after receiving complaints of cars passing buses while stopped with their flashing red lights on, officers began accompanying buses in the mornings and afternoons in marked and unmarked cruisers.

Drivers who fail to stop for a school bus with its red lights activated are subject to a $250 fine, and motorists with two or more offenses can have their licenses revoked.

Since implementing this safety campaign, two drivers have been stopped and were issued warnings.

“We want drivers to be aware that officers will be monitoring bus routes to ensure all laws are followed and children are safe,” Chief Jeffrey Gillen said. “By addressing this proactively, we hope to prevent accidents and injuries.”

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), approximately 400,000 students in the state are transported to school by bus every year.

School buses are a relatively safe form of transportation. DPH reports that the majority of related injuries occur to pedestrians who are boarding or exiting a bus and are hit by passing traffic or while in one of the bus driver’s blind spots. Children ages 4 to 7 are at the highest risk of injury.

Residents should remember that:

  • State law requires drivers to stay at least 100 feet behind a school bus at all times.
  • Motorists also must stop for school buses and school vans when red lights are flashing. Be on the lookout for flashing yellow and red lights, and be ready to stop.
  • Never pass a school bus when its stop sign arm is down and red lights are flashing.
  • Do not begin driving again until the flashing red lights are turned off, the stop sign is put back in place and the bus begins moving.

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Canton Fire Department Urges Elderly Residents to Attend Presentation on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

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Canton Fire Department
Chief Charles E. Doody
99 Revere St.
Canton, MA 02021

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 14, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Canton Fire Department Urges Elderly Residents to Attend Presentation on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

CANTON — Chief Charles E. Doody announces that the Canton Fire Department will be partnering with the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) to host an informational presentation about alcohol and drug use and misuse among older adults next week.

“This is an important topic to broach not matter what someone’s age is. Alcohol and drug abuse affects many lives and there is help available,” Chief Doody said. “Hopefully this presentation will be helpful to some of our older residents.”

WHEN:

Thursday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m.

WHERE:

Canton Senior Center, 500 Pleasant St.

WHO:

  • Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse
  • Canton Fire Department
  • Canton Police Department
  • Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Addiction Programs

WHAT:

Carol Girard from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Addiction Programs will be speaking at the Canton Senior Center.

Topics of her presentation will include:

  • Alcohol and older adult health
  • Trends driving increases in alcohol and drug use among older adults
  • Prescription medications and opioids, their interaction with alcohol and other drugs
  • Safe storage and disposal of unused medicine
  • Treatment resources and support options

In order to attend the presentation, please call 781-828-1323 to RSVP.

About CAASA:

CAASA was established in 2013 to address youth substance abuse. Its collaboration allows for a 360 degree perspective on the issues affecting Canton and how best to address them. Meetings are held on the third Monday monthly at the Canton Fire Department. 

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Arlington Department of Health and Human Services Provides Guidelines After Bat Tests Positive for Rabies

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Retained by the Town of Arlington Health and Human Services Department

Town of Arlington
Department of Health and Human Services
Christine Bongiorno, Director
27 Maple St.
Arlington, MA 02476

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 9, 2017

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

Contact: Christine Bongiorno
Phone: 781-316-3170
Email:  [email protected]

Arlington Department of Health and Human Services Provides Guidelines After Bat Tests Positive for Rabies

ARLINGTON – The Arlington Department of Health and Human Services (AHHS) is reminding residents of several safety tips and guidelines after a bat found in a home tested positive for rabies this week.

On Wednesday, March 8, a bat was found on the floor of an Arlington residence and tested positive for rabies. The bat was alive, but there were no indications that anyone was bit.

Rabies is caused by a virus which is usually spread from animal to animal, but it can also spread from an infected animal to a person. Rabies spreads when an infected animal bites another animal or person, or if their saliva gets into a scratch or wound, eyes, nose or mouth of another animal or person.

It is rare for people to get rabies in the United States. Approximately 55,000 people die from rabies every year around the world, and only one or two of those deaths occur in the United States. However, any possible contact with bats, including a bite, scratch or finding a bat in a room, should be taken seriously. Bat teeth are so small that a person may not realize they have been bitten.

“While rabies in humans is extremely rare in our area, it is important to take the safety precautions seriously when dealing with bats,” said Christine Bongiorno, Director of Health and Human Services in Arlington. “If you have any concern that you may have come in contact with a bat or other wild animal, please contact the health department right away.”

If a bat is found inside your home, AHHS recommends following tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to safely capture it:

Gather the following items for a bat capture kit:

  • Gloves – heavy, preferably pliable, thick leather.
  • Kitchen tongs or forceps – 9 to 12 inches in length.
  • Coffee can or a similar container – preferably with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Sheet of cardboard
  • Tape
  • Net – with fine mesh and a long handle.
  • Flashlight – to locate the bat without scaring the animal and causing it to fly around in alarm.

To capture a bat on a wall:

  • Close the doors and windows to the room and wait until the bat lands.
  • Approach the bat slowly, placing the container over the animal.
  • Slide the cardboard between the wall and the container, lifting them away from the wall as one unit.
  • Slowly slide the cardboard off the container while simultaneously attaching the appropriate sized lid.
  • Tape the lid to the container so the bat cannot escape and label the container so it is not accidentally opened.

To capture a bat in a high place or in flight, come from behind the animal using a net. Transfer the bat to a container with forceps or thick leather gloves.

If you have captured a bat, and believe there may have been any exposure to a resident or pet, immediately contact AHHS at 781-316-3170 and the animal control officer at 781-645-8014. They will help you to determine if there was an exposure and whether the bat should be submitted to the state lab for testing.

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