FYI – Milton and Massachusetts are not immune from the opioid crisis plaguing New England. Here is a release of interest on the subject. A meeting on the issue will be hosted by the Milton Health Dept. You can find details here.

The Massachusetts Health Council (MHC) today announced the release of a new report on how community coalitions are leading the way with effective approaches to addressing the opioid crisis that continues to race through the Commonwealth.  Compiled over the last four months, over 20 active coalitions from every county in the state shared their local experiences with the MHC, detailing successes and challenges in their efforts to combat the substance abuse problem and encouraging fellow community leaders to engage at the regional level.

The MHC provided copies to the Governor’s Opioid Addiction Working Group and made the entire report available online.

“We raised the public health alarm on heroin’s devastating effects back in 2012,” said Susan Servais, Executive Director of the MHC.  “As the overdose rate grew across the state, a variety of stakeholders stepped forward, working together to build incredible community coalitions that are helping to turn the tide.  There’s no simple solution to substance abuse, but the commitment and dedication we’ve witnessed by health providers, family members, emergency personnel and community coalition members has been extraordinary.”

The Opioid Coalition Report includes recommended steps that local leaders in law enforcement, public health, schools, and elected officials can take to build quality partnerships and coordinate effective responses.  Every municipality has different demographics, but organizing a network of stakeholders who develop a strategic, coordinated plan was a consistent priority.  Federally supported Drug-Free Communities grants require that coalitions recruit members from 12 key sectors and provide up to $125,000/year in financial support for the critical prevention efforts. The MA Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Services funds Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative grants enabling clusters of communities to work together.

The opioid epidemic is a top priority for policy makers in the Commonwealth.  Governor Charlie Baker has repeatedly spoken out on the issue and formed a Working Group that is preparing a set of recommendations.

Marie Graves, Substance Abuse Prevention Services Program Director at the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, said “It was great to be a part of this process with the MA Health Council.  It allowed us the opportunity to discuss the success and challenges of prevention work and how collaboration is a key component to preventing and reducing opioid misuse and abuse within Springfield and the surrounding Western MA communities.”

The MHC Report contains an overview of the current community mobilization landscape, a typical approach to forming a new community substance abuse coalition, recommendations for policy makers and health officials, and sections covering successes, challenges, and lessons learned.  The MHC Report includes significant citations and is available for free at http://www.mahealthcouncil.org