'How Many More Lives?' Natick Responds To Opioid Crisis

NATICK, MA—Recently, a painting was spotted on a Dug Pond wall that depicted a needle, the words asking "How many more lives?" and asked for help. The message prompted a response from the town answering just that.

"Natick, like all communities, is working to address the opioid epidemic," wrote Town Administrator Melissa Malone. "The losses within our community affect us all, and we will continue to take a proactive approach. This means doing all we can to ensure that individuals suffering from the disease of addiction can access the treatment and support they need."

Natick has experienced 10 opioid overdoses so far this year, 2 of which were fatal, Katie Sugarman, prevention and outreach program manager for the town, told Patch.

According to Malone, here are some of the specific steps taken in the Natick to combat the opioid epidemic:

1. Making naloxone (Narcan) available on every Natick Police and Fire Department vehicle and in every Natick Public School. The Natick Health Department also offers it at no cost to any resident who wants to carry it in order to reverse an opioid overdose. Training is provided with each kit that is distributed to the public and can be obtained during regular business hours at the Natick Health Department in Natick Town Hall, Monday through Friday. Natick is one of four communities in the Commonwealth dispensing Narcan and providing overdose prevention training directly to the public.
2. Establishing a multi-sector Opioid Task Force to prevent and to reduce opioid addiction.
3. Developing post-overdose follow-up protocols pairing specially trained law enforcement officers with South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) recovery coaches, Justice Resource Center (JRI) Health and other local treatment providers to offer treatment and resources to Natick addresses at which an overdose has occurred.
4. Conducting an ongoing summer workshop focusing on brain health and opioid awareness education for grades 3-10, and hiring of additional professionals to work directly with students who experience mental health or substance use related challenges and who works closely with counselors, social workers, school resource officers, teachers and administrators.
5. Expanding screening for all students in the Natick Public Schools for depression, suicidality, drug and alcohol use.
6. Implementing a Diversion Program, a partnership between the Natick Police, Natick Service Council and Natick Public Schools requiring students who violate drug or alcohol policies to participate in education, counseling and community service.
7. Building more collaborative working relationships with MetroWest Medical Center and other local treatment providers to improve access to quality care for those who are seeking treatment.
8. Hosting monthly Addiction Resource Center evenings (September-June) at the Natick Community Senior Center that include workshop topics on addiction and recovery as well as treatment navigation and Narcan training. Topics also include support for family members and loved ones who care about an individual struggling with addiction. The next resource center evening will take place on Monday, Sept. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
9. Training and education for public safety staff, municipal staff and the general public about what resources exist for individuals and families experiencing addiction and how to access them.
10. Assisting with the creation of The Journey, a monthly bereavement support group for individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one due to substance use. The next Journey meeting will take place Tuesday, July 31st, 7:00-8:30 PM at the Natick Community Senior Center.
11. Hosting community presentations for parents and youth through Natick Public Schools, SOAR (Supporting Outreach & Addiction Recovery) Natick, SPARK Kindness and Natick Together for Youth on topics related to substance use education and prevention.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, contact Katie Sugarman, Prevention & Outreach Program Manager, Natick Health Department, at 508-647-6623, or go to www.NatickActs.org for more information on how to access services and support. For the biweekly meeting schedule for the SOAR Natick parent support group, go to www.SOARNatick.org.

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