Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts increased by 2.5 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, with rates among Black, non-Hispanic residents making up the largest increase, according to preliminary data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).
Throughout Massachusetts there were 2,125 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023.
MADPH data reported that the towns which make up the SCPHC had 134 overdose deaths between 2015 and 2023- 30 in Freetown, 22 in Lakeville, 8 in Marion, 20 in Mattapoisett, 9 in Rochester and 45 in Westport.
Addressing structural racism is foundational to reversing the local drug overdose epidemic. Structural racism in the US has created systems that have historically excluded, and marginalized people based on their race and ethnicity, which has caused people of color to suffer worse health outcomes. Health equity is the idea that everyone has a fair opportunity to be healthy and get the quality care they need. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and healthcare.
MA DPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) Dashboard
What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that aim to minimize the negative health, social and legal impacts associated with drug use, drug policies and drug laws.
Harm reduction is grounded in justice and human rights. It focuses on positive change and on working with people without judgement, coercion, discrimination, or requiring that people stop using drugs as a precondition of support.
Harm reduction does not promote or encourage drug use but helps people make healthier choices for themselves. Harm reduction recognizes that there will always be some people who will use drugs, and some people who may be unwilling or unable to stop using drugs.
Examples of Harm Reduction Include:
- Information about safer drug use
- Needle exchange programs
- Overdose prevention and reversal
- Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT)
- Providing housing
- Legal services
- Drug checking
Source: Harm Reduction International
Bristol County Resources
Community Counseling Bristol County
508.828.9116
The purpose and mission of Community Counseling of Bristol County, Inc. (CCBC) is to develop and deliver compassionate, responsive, culturally competent, and quality mental health and substance use services to meet the prevention, education, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery needs of those in our community. These services are based on the latest evidence-based approaches to respond to the complex needs of children, adolescents, adults, elders and families as part of a locally integrated health-care delivery system linked to regional and statewide delivery systems.
Bristol County MA Homeless Shelter Directory Homeless Statistics and Shelters
Plymouth County Resources
The Plymouth County Outreach Teams go out to offer support and resources after an overdose occurs, but this isn’t the only way to access PCO. Plymouth County Outreach also helps individuals who may be misusing a substance and are at-risk of an overdose or would like assistance navigating treatment options. This includes individuals in recovery who may want to explore a different pathway or access additional resources. An at-risk individual can be identified through self-disclose or referred by a family member or loved one.
If you or a loved one is looking for assistance from PCO and their outreach team you can do so by calling the Marshfield Police Department, Detective Davis [email protected] or (781)-834-6655 Ext.5207 Or you may contact Plymouth County Outreach directly through their website, Facebook page, or by phone at (508) 830 – 4218 x261.
https://www.marshfieldpolice.org/home/pages/substance-abuse-resources
About Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force
The Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force brings Law Enforcement together with: Educators, Medical Providers, Substance Use Experts, Public Safety Officials, Legislators, Community and Faith-Based Coalitions to assist in the fight against opioids.
Contact: Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office
166 Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 584-8120
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department
24 Long Pond Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-6200
Treatment Centers, Support Groups and Recovery Programs
Relief Recovery Center
508.715-8557
Relief provides several outpatient treatment options for you and those who depend on you. Our programs are based on the pillars and practices of the 12-step system. We believe in persistence, structure, spirituality, and a supportive community for during your recovery.
A peer-led support network that offers education, resources, and hope for family members and friends who have loved ones affected by substance use disorder.
The Champion Plan
508.408.5168
An individual suffering from a substance use disorder can enter the Brockton Police Department, to seek help.
-Next, Gandara Center will provide Recovery Coaches, most with lived in experience, to support individuals entering the program where they will be brought to our office while waiting to get the proper placement.
-Once a bed at a treatment center is available, Brewster Ambulance will provide transportation to the individual seeking treatment to the designated treatment center.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Plymouth Center for Active Living, in collaboration with South Shore Women’s Resource Center, facilitates a GRG support group. The group meets every Thursday at 10:00 am at the COA- 44 Nook Road, Plymouth.
The Plymouth GRG consists of Grandparents who, due to dire circumstances have selflessly accepted the responsibility of raising their grandchildren.
Project Aware – SSTAR:
(508) 558-3548
Project Aware provides no cost STI testing and treatment, PrEP navigation, Hep C navigation, HIV case management, as well as street outreach to Latinx communities. They provide low barrier medical and substance use treatment from an RV on the streets of Fall River and New Bedford.
Regional Providers of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Arbour Counseling – Vivitrol
384 Washington Street
Norwell, MA
781-871-6550
Anchor Medical Group and Wellness Center – Buprenorphine
4 Richmond Street
Weymouth, MA
508-951-0847
Brockton Neighborhood Health Center – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
63 Main Street
Brockton, MA
508-559-6699
Clean Slate Outpatient Addiction Medicine – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
46 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA
508-503-5020
Clean Slate Outpatient Addiction Medicine – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
92 Grape Street
New Bedford, MA
774-202-2264
Community Health Center of Cape Cod – Buprenorphine
107 Commercial Street
Mashpee, MA
508-477-7090
Community Health Center of Cape Cod – Buprenorphine
123 Waterhouse Road
Bourne, MA
508-477-7090
Duffy Health Center – Buprenorphine, Naltrexone and Subutex
99 Main Street
Hyannis, MA
508-771-9599
Gosnold Outpatient – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
909 Sumner Street
Stoughton, MA
800-444-1554
Gosnold Outpatient – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
1185 Falmouth Road
Centerville, MA
800-444-1554
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center – Buprenorphine
874 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA
508-992-6553
High Point Outpatient Services – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
30 Meadowbrook Road
Brockton, MA
508-638-6022
High Point Outpatient Services – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
52 Oak Street
Middleborough, MA
774-213-8535
High Point Outpatient Services – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
497 Bellview Avenue
New Bedford, MA
508-717-0550
Habit OPCO Treatment Center – Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Methadone, Subutex
3088 A Cranberry Highway
East Wareham, MA
508-295-7990
Habit OPCO Treatment Center – Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Methadone, Subutex
1515 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA
617-479-0102
Habit OPCO Treatment Center – Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Methadone, Subutex
22 Front Street
Fall River, MA
855-532-0231
Habit OPCO Treatment Center – Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Methadone, Subutex
180 Centre Street
Brockton, MA
855-532-0231
Habit OPCO Treatment Center – Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Methadone, Subutex
66 Main Street
Taunton, MA
855-532-0231
Habit OPCO Treatment Center – Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Methadone, Subutex
34 Gifford Street
New Bedford, MA
855-532-0231
Harbor Community Health Center – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
10 Cordage Park Circle
Plymouth, MA
508-778-5470
Harbor Community Health Center – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
735 Attucks Lane
Hyannis, MA
508-778-5469
Healthcare Resource Centers – Methadone and Buprenorphine
9 Kilburn Street
New Bedford, MA
508-979-1122
Healthcare Resource Centers – Methadone
23 North Main Street
Attleboro, MA
508-342-8041
New Horizons Medical – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
500 Congress Street
Quincy, MA
617-481-6949
Manet Community Health Center – Buprenorphine
1 Washington Street
Taunton, MA
508-822-5500
Manet Community Health Center – Buprenorphine
180 George Washington Boulevard
Hull, MA
781-925-4550
Manet Community Health Center – Buprenorphine
1193 Sea Street
Quincy, MA (Houghs Neck)
617-471-8683
Manet Community Health Center – Buprenorphine
9 Bicknell Street (Snug Harbor)
Quincy, MA
617-471-4715
Manet Community Health Center – Buprenorphine
110 West Squantum Street
North Quincy, MA
617-376-3000
Signature Healthcare OBAT – Buprenorphine
360 Brockton Avenue
Abington, MA
508-894-0575
SOAR – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
5 Dover Street
New Bedford, MA
508-984-4155
SOAR – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
279 North Main Street
Fall River, MA
508-679-0033
Spectrum Health Systems – Methadone, Naltrexone, Buprenorphine
15 Winter Court
Weymouth, MA
877-MyRehab (877-697-3422)
Square Medical Group – Buprenorphine and Naltrexone
884 Washington Street
Weymouth, MA
781-812-1643
SSTAR Lifeline Outpatient Opioid Treatment – Methadone
386 Stanley Street
Fall River, MA
508-679-5222
Additional Resources:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- REHABSPOT
WORDS MATTER- Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking about Addiction
The Massachusetts Good Samaritan Law encourages friends, family, or bystanders to assist people having an overdose and to seek emergency medical assistance. The law has significant potential to help reduce the impact of the opioid epidemic and save lives. The law protects victims and those who call 9-1-1 for help from charge, prosecution, and conviction for possession or use of controlled substances. The Law, Chapter 94C, Section 34A: “Immunity from prosecution under Secs. 34 or 35 for persons seeking medical assistance for self or other experiencing a drug-related overdose” can be found on the Massachusetts Legislature General Laws website.