Manchester Health Department Gets Major Regional Opioid Abuse Grant

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Health Department Tuesday announced a "collaborative effort" with the North Central District Health Department and the Eastern Highlands Health District to "address opioid abuse in our communities."

In partnership with the Manchester Health Department, NCDHD applied for and was awarded $300,000 from the National Association of County and City Health Officials, a national non-profit association representing nearly 3,000 local health departments in the United States.

The project received one of 15 grants distributed nationwide and focuses on four strategic areas: surveillance and data sharing, partnership with public safety and first responders, a communications campaign and harm reduction, officials said.

Partners include Hartford Healthcare and the CT Harm Reduction Alliance, officials said. "Local stakeholders" will also be involved like local prevention councils, first responders, and public school superintendents, officials said.

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the number of fatal drug overdoses in local communities has increased twofold since 2019. Approximately 71 percent of the fatal overdose deaths occurred among individuals residing in Enfield, Manchester, Mansfield, Vernon, Tolland, and Windham, statistics show.

"The Manchester Health Department is excited to embark on this project. Any step we can take to prevent or lessen the devastating effects of opioid abuse in our community is a step we are happy to take. This funding will open doors to regional conversations, new partnerships, and increased capacity to work with our local stakeholders,” said Joel Cox, the town's director of human services.

The Manchester Health Department will release further information about the project "as it develops," officials said.