Nashua Dunkin' Donuts Donates $5K For Opioid Recovery

NASHUA, NH -- A Nashua program for those struggling with opioid addiction received a significant boost this week. Local Dunkin' Donuts owner Joe Carvahlo donated $5,000 to "Safe Station," which allows anyone to walk into any city fire station and get connected with opioid recovery help, no questions asked. Manchester Fire Chief Dan Goonan started the Safe Station program in 2016 and it was expanded to Manchester. More than 5,000 people have sought help through Safe Station in both cities, officials said.

President Trump praised the program as example of how community members can help fellow citizens struggling with drug addiction.

"I am calling on every American to join the ranks of guardian angels like Chief Goonan ... who help lift up the people of our great nation," Trump said in a national address last year in which he declared opioid abuse a national public health emergency.

This is a list of Nashua Safe Station locations at city fire stations:

• Amherst Street Station: 15 Amherst Street
• Lake Street Station: 177 Lake Street
• Spit Brook Road Station: 124 Spit Brook Road
• East Hollis Street" 70 East Hollis Street
• Airport Station: 101 Pine Hill Road
• Conant Road: 2 Conant Road
• Dispatch Center: 38 Lake Street

This is how Safe Stations works:

• "Any person seeking treatment and recovery will be able to enter a Nashua fire station where trained firefighters will connect him or her with help. AMR and Harbor Homes will immediately respond to each report.
• If there is no medical need for transportation to the emergency room, Harbor Homes will transport the person seeking help to the Maple Street shelter or to the Harbor Homes complex on High Street. If necessary, medical detox will be available.
• The person seeking help will be cared for while Harbor Homes professionals find an opening in an appropriate recovery program or facility."

Previous:

• Nashua Opioid Crisis: 2,000+ Get Help
• Trump: Opioid Overdoses A 'Public Health Emergency'
• Nashua Safe Stations Program Connects Opioid Addicts With Help

Photo credit: Nashua Fire Department