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Methadone Treatment News

Massachusetts Grants Target Prevention of Opioid Use

Five communities received $80,000 to implement prevention programs. Twelve communities, including Everett, a Demand Treatment! partner, received $10,000 grants to plan prevention programs.

"This is a growing problem and it's a regional problem, so I think it's pretty significant that all of these communities in the metro north are dealing with this. It's not an isolated situation in one community -- it's impacting everyone," said Jean Granick, coordinator of Everett Demand Treatment and the Everett Community Health Improvement Partnership (ECHIP). ECHIP will handle Everett's planning effort.

"There appears to be a clear rise in the use of heroin and other opioids, of which OxyContin ^® seems to be the most popular," said Steven Keel, director of prevention in the Mass. Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.

Malden, using its $80,000 award, will focus on educating health care professionals and the public about the dangers of heroin and OxyContin ^® use. The city will increase funding to the Police Department's drug unit and hire a school counselor to educate students about opioid use.

Chelsea, as part of its program implementation, will hire eight teens as peer leaders who will be trained and employed by the Lewis Latimer Society, a local nonprofit organization that focuses on education.

The rising use of heroin and OxyContin ^® is "the number one health crisis in cities and towns at this time," said Mayor Robert Dolan of Melrose, one of the communities that received planning funds.

"We need to transform the kids from victims into leaders, and I think it can happen," said Luis A. Prado, director of Chelsea Health and Human Services.