Naloxone

*Media Advisory* Arlington Police Department Invites Public to Attend Narcan Training

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Arlington Police Department
Julie Flaherty, Acting Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

*Media Advisory*

Arlington Police Department Invites Public to Attend Narcan Training

ARLINGTON — Acting Chief Julie Flaherty would like to invite residents to attend a naloxone training and education event later this month.

WHEN: 

Thursday, Aug. 29 from 7-8 p.m.

WHERE: 

Fox Library, 175 Mass Ave., Arlington

WHAT: 

The Arlington Police Department is inviting the public to attend a free Narcan training this month.

Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, is also commonly known by the brand name, Narcan.

Members of the Arlington Police Department will train residents at the event to identify the signs of an overdose and properly administer Narcan. During the session, residents will also learn about the resources available for those seeking treatment. The training will also include a distribution of naloxone doses for attendees to keep and carry on their person.

“This training is an important opportunity for Arlington residents to learn how to properly identify when someone is having an overdose and administer Narcan safely,” Acting Chief Flaherty said. “This is a life saving training. Whether you have a loved one who is struggling with substance use or are simply a concerned citizen, we encourage anyone who wishes to carry Narcan to attend.”

Refreshments will also be served at the training.

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East Bridgewater Police, EB HOPE Introducing Naloxbox Program at Local Businesses

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

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 5, 2019

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

East Bridgewater Police, EB HOPE Introducing Naloxbox Program at Local Businesses

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen and the East Bridgewater Police Department would like to notify residents that the department and local non-profit EB HOPE are partnering with local businesses to provide increased public access to the overdose-reversing drug naloxone.

Three East Bridgewater businesses have signed up to participate in the Naloxbox program, which involves installing a medical box on a wall inside of each business, containing doses of naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, and instructions on how to administer the drug if someone is overdosing.

The businesses who are currently participating in the new program are Lifestyle Vape, 626 Bedford St.; Vape Solutions, 687 N. Bedford St.; and Hi-Lo Gas, 475 Bedford Street. Any East Bridgewater business owners who are interested in having a Naloxbox installed in their business should contact Sgt. Bill Patterson at [email protected] or by calling 508-378-7223.

“Last year in Plymouth County alone there were 121 overdose deaths reported to have occurred within the county, with a total of 153 Plymouth County residents fatally overdosing throughout the state. One overdose death is one too many and our department is working every day to find ways to combat the ongoing opioid crisis,” Chief Allen said. “In order to increase the accessibility of Narcan, we hope to see many businesses participate in the Naloxbox program, and we will eventually be looking to expand the program to town-owned and operated buildings as well.”

Though East Bridgewater Police and EB HOPE have seen more and more residents seeking treatment recently, East Bridgewater had four suspected fatal overdoses last year, the same number as 2017.

On a more positive note, East Bridgewater saw nearly a 50 percent increase of at-risk persons seeking help through Plymouth County Outreach’s (PCO) proactive model. An at-risk person is someone who self-identifies to the police department or is referred by a family member or loved one for treatment assistance from East Bridgewater’s PCO Outreach Team. The outreach team includes a plainclothes outreach police officer and certified recovery coach. The outreach team connects these at-risk individuals with treatment options, prior to an overdose incident occurring.

“Despite more individuals seeking treatment and assistance through the program, the department continues to see people struggling with substance use disorders and there is still a lot of work to do,” Chief Allen said. “The Naloxbox program is an innovative way to help make naloxone more readily available to the general public. We can’t thank Susan Silva and the EB HOPE/PCO HOPE Board for their continued volunteer commitment to helping those struggling with substance use disorders as well as assisting their family members and loved ones.”

Each Naloxbox unit contains at least one dose of 4mg nasal naloxone (Narcan), nitrile gloves and a face mask. Each cabinet is labeled on the sides and front to indicate that it is an Overdose Emergency Unit. The Naloxbox also includes instruction manuals providing step-by-step details about how to administer Narcan in the event of an overdose.

In addition, each business or property owner that participates in the program will be trained in overdose recognition, Narcan administration and CPR.

In order to implement a safe and responsible Naloxbox program, the East Bridgewater Police Department has established and maintains a professional affiliation with a Medical Control Physician (MCP) who will provide medical oversight over its use and administration. The MCP has the discretion make recommendations regarding the policy, oversight, and administration of the nasal naloxone program developed and implemented by the police department. East Bridgewater’s MCP is Brockton’s Signature Healthcare, Dr. Daniel Muse, who is also a Chiefs Advisory Board member for PCO.

Funding for the Naloxbox program comes to the EBPD through EB HOPE. For the second year in a row, EB HOPE has received earmarked funds from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to be used on initiatives to support the organization and its community partners, like the East Bridgewater Police.

Naloxbox is a Rhode Island-based non-profit that works with police departments, communities and businesses to install the medical boxes in various locations. There are currently over 50 Naloxboxes installed throughout Rhode Island.

To learn more about the Naloxbox program, please visit the organization’s website www.naloxbox.org.

Chief Allen would like to remind residents to always call 911 in the event of an overdose and to get the overdose victim emergency medical help as soon as possible. It is critically important to call 911 for all overdoses because it has been proven to save lives. The Massachusetts Good Samaritan Law encourages friends, family, or bystanders to assist people having an overdose and to seek emergency medical assistance. The law protects victims and those who call 911 for help from charge, prosecution and conviction for possession or use of controlled substances.

More information about the Good Samaritan Law can be found the state’s website.

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P.A.A.R.I. Launches First Recovery-Friendly Construction Site Program

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

P.A.A.R.I. Launches First Recovery-Friendly Construction Site Program

BOSTON — The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.), in conjunction with John Moriarty and Associates, Meredith Management, Gerding Edlen and Nuveen, launched a first of its kind Recovery Friendly Worksite on Friday at the Fenway Center Project located at 771 Beacon St in Boston.

At Friday’s launch event leaders in the recovery and construction communities came together with more than 200 union workers to help reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorder and provide support and resources, including naloxone training, recovery referral resources, and access to naloxone at onsite. Kits with treatment resources and NARCAN, the opioid overdose reversal medication, are installed on site.

The pioneering program is intended to save lives, reduce the stigma and provide support and resources for those suffering from substance use disorders, and will soon be rolled out to all JMA constructions sites throughout the region.

According to a 2018 report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, construction workers account for nearly 25 percent of opioid-related deaths among the working population of Massachusetts.

“Given the opioid epidemic’s toll on the construction industry, with construction workers accounting for nearly 25 percent of opioid-related deaths among the working population of Massachusetts, efforts to reduce stigma and encourage individuals struggling with substance use disorders to connect with local treatment and support services is vital for every construction site and employer, stated Meredith Management President and P.A.A.R.I. co-founder John Rosenthal.

“Every community and industry is impacted by the opioid epidemic, but due to a higher incidence of workplace injuries and a greater likelihood of being prescribed opioid painkillers, it is especially essential to support people who work in industries like fishing and construction,” said Allie Hunter, P.A.A.R.I.’s executive director. “We hope this program will inspire other construction companies and worksites of all kinds to launch similar initiatives that prepare for overdose scenarios and create stigma-free access points to treatment and recovery.”

Also included in the partnership is Tac Life Systems/NarCase who created a first-of-its-kind specialty NARCAN kit custom developed for work sites and other venue-based naloxone access programs. NarCase kits have been be wall-mounted in six locations at the Fenway Center construction site, four of which will be in construction hoist elevators, allowing the quickest on-scene access to the medication in the event of an overdose.

Single step 4-mg NARCAN and NarCases were also distributed to 56 crew members during the event.

The new initiative also included access to informational materials from P.A.A.R.I., including referral cards for P.A.A.R.I.’s team of Recovery Corps Recovery Coaches, who provide support to individuals struggling with substance use disorders or who are in need of support for a loved one. Those in need of support were encouraged to contact [email protected] for free and confidential support. Marc Lyle, Recovery Support Specialist for the Massachusetts Laborers’ Benefit Funds, was also in attendance to offer support.

“Our industry has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic and our goal is to break down the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, through education, training, and by equipping sites with life-saving naloxone,” Moriarty said. “We are committed to creating a culture where the men and women working on our sites know that recovery is possible and that we are here to help. This model for a recovery-friendly worksite will be rolled out to all of our projects, and we are grateful to all of our partners for their support in this important, life-saving new program,”

Tom Gunning of the Building Trades Employers Association added, “We are inspired to see this collaborative partnership bring meaningful solutions to construction job sites in Boston in an effort to change the narrative for those struggling with substance use disorder.”

The partnership announced at the event carries support from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Boston Mayor’s Office.

“I am grateful for this partnership because it works to promote substance use education and reduce addiction stigma,” said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. “This innovative recovery-friendly worksite is a continuation of excellent work being done by P.A.A.R.I. and their partners. We are proud of our partnership with P.A.A.R.I. through the Boston Police and the Office of Recovery Services, providing substance use services to those in need of support.”

About P.A.A.R.I.

The Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help law enforcement agencies nationwide create non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery. Founded alongside the groundbreaking Gloucester Police Department Angel Initiative in June 2015, P.A.A.R.I. has been a driving force behind this rapidly expanding community policing movement. We provide technical assistance, coaching, grants, and other capacity-building resources to more than 450 police departments in 33 states. P.A.A.R.I. and our law enforcement partners are working towards a collective vision where non-arrest diversion programs become a standard policing practice across the country, thereby reducing overdose deaths, expanding access to treatment, improving public safety, reducing crime, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and increasing trust between law enforcement and their communities. Our programs and partners have saved thousands of lives, changed police culture, and reshaped the national conversation about the opioid epidemic. Learn more at www.paariusa.org.

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* Media Advisory* Canton Fire Department Invites Public to Attend Narcan Training

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019

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

*Media Advisory*

Canton Fire Department Invites Public to Attend Narcan Training

CANTON — Chief Charles E. Doody would like to invite residents to attend a naloxone training and education event Wednesday. 

WHEN:

Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 6-8 p.m.

Where:

Canton Senior Center, 500 Pleasant St., Canton

WHAT:

The Canton Fire Department is partnering with the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) Wednesday to hold a free community naloxone training event.

Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, is also commonly known by the brand name, Narcan.

The training will be conducted by Norwood Hospital Emergency Room Physician Dr. Michael Valkanas, and will train residents how to identify an overdose and properly administer naloxone. The training will also include a distribution of naloxone doses for attendees to keep and carry on their person.

Refreshments will also be served at the training. 

“It’s important that members of the public be trained to properly administer Narcan, should they ever encounter someone suffering an opioid overdose,” Chief Doody said. “All are encouraged to attend the training, whether you know someone suffering from opioid abuse or are a community member who wants to be prepared to help in the event of a tragedy.”

CAASA was formed in 2013 to to work against youth substance abuse, and is comprised of public health, school, fire, police, and parks and recreation officials as well as the Norfolk County DA’s office. Students, clinicians, and parents are also members of the CAASA.

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