Good morning ~

Three events this month, in which we were a part, demonstrate what makes living and working in Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region special.

On April 11th, we participated in the Community Action Pioneer Valley's (CAPV) Annual Meeting, held at Greenfield Community College. It was truly an uplifting event, where we learned about the significant impact of CAPV's efforts over the past year.

They also handed out awards, and we are proud to share that Debra McLaughlin, the Opioid Task Force Coordinator, received the Jane Sanders Award for her efforts in conceiving The HUB Project, a region-wide initiative addressing the winter emergency needs of unhoused individuals across 30 communities. This included supporting an Overnight Warming Center in Greenfield, in partnership with the City of Greenfield, MA, and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, as well as supporting 25 daytime warming centers. Additionally, it provided motel stays, gear, and goods. This award recognizes an individual demonstrating dedicated leadership and outstanding commitment to community service.

There was an extraordinary community response that made The HUB Project possible throughout the region this winter, and included partners such as the City of Greenfield, the Interfaith Council of Franklin County, the North Quabbin Community Coalition, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the Mary Lyon Foundation, the Wildflower Alliance, the Three County Continuum of Care, the Salvation Army of Greenfield, the Town of Montague, Trinity Church, Greenfield Public Library, Arms Library, Jon Zon Community Center, Eliot Street Outreach, Sunderland Public Library, Valuing Our Children, the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, Oak Courts, Athol Public Library, Athol YMCA, Salvation Army of Athol, PATCH Family Center, North Quabbin Recovery Center, Athol Council on Aging, Greenfield Housing Authority, Clinical & Support Options, Montague Senior Center, DCR Great Falls Discovery Center, Carnegie Library, Montague Center Library, Millers Falls Library, the Shelburne Falls Senior Center, and countless volunteers.

This effort is a true testament to the culture of collaboration that exists here, where we serve others when they need help the most.

We congratulate Deb and the other two award winners: Representative Mindy Domb, who received the Sargent Shriver Award, and Mary Rawls, Executive Vice President of Compliance and Risk Management at Greenfield Cooperative Bank, who received the Volunteer of the Year Award.

On April 15th, we had the honor of attending a Listening Session with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

Hosted by Baystate Franklin Medical Center, AG Campbell met with representatives from various Western Massachusetts agencies. The meeting focused on addiction initiatives supported by funds from the opioid settlement agreements, which held major pharmaceutical and other companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, which resulted from the manufacturing and distribution of opioids to millions of Americans, tragically contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths.

We commend the recent formation of the AG's 25-member Advisory Council on Substance Use. Announced on April 14th, this group "...will provide input on the AGO’s policy work focused on substance use, treatment, harm reduction, and legal protections for people in recovery. The Council will also bring attention to emerging issues and expand partnerships with community-based organizations focused on substance use." Daniel Harper, founder and director of Eliza's Watch, and a member of the Opioid Task Force, serves on the Council.

As we reflect on the nearly 300 individuals who have lost their lives to overdose since 2012, it was encouraging to hear about the massive progress that our region has made to offer multiple treatment and recovery options to our rural residents.

We applaud AG Campbell and her staff's efforts to listen to and learn about the unique needs of rural areas when supporting those affected by addiction. We look forward to future collaborations with her office. 

On April 18th, we had the privilege of meeting with our talented legislative delegation at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office (FCSO). It was an opportunity to brief them on the depth of community programming the FCSO provides and how crucial their support of the Opioid Task Force efforts has been since inception.

It would be impossible for the Opioid Task Force to conduct its life-saving work without the enduring support of Senators Jo Comerford and Paul Mark, and Representatives Susannah Whipps, Natalie Blais, and Aaron Saunders. They, along with members of their staff, show up, stand up, and speak up for our rural region every day.

As we move forward in these uncertain times, we will continue to nurture our collaborative networks to sustain and strengthen our communities and the people we serve. We hope you will join us.

Sincerely,

Register John F. Merrigan

 Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan

Sheriff Lori M. Streeter

 Co-chairs, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region