spotlight

OCTOBER IS SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION MONTH

To inspire action, each of us can share how prevention is improving lives in our communities.

• We aim to prevent substance use in the first place, prevent the progression of use, and reduce harms. And we have the prevention playbook to do so.
• Prevention science (with decades of research and community-based experience) shows that prevention works.
• Prevention strengthens protective factors and reduces risk factors ― in individuals, families, schools, communities, and society.
• Prevention helps us get ahead of substance use and mental health challenges — so that youth, families, and communities can thrive.
• Prevention Month lifts up the national conversation — to showcase prevention’s positive effects on communities across the country.

OPIOID RECOVERY & REMEDIATION FUNDS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MODEL PRACTICE

Barnstable County Department of Human Services is excited to share the Opioid Recovery & Remediation Funds Community Engagement Model Process! This report has been created to capture and share a pilot process of authentic community engagement in the decision-making process about Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund settlement spending. The following describes efforts undertaken in collaboration by the Town of Falmouth, the Falmouth Commission on Substance Use, consultant & facilitator Sky Freyss-Cole and Barnstable County Department of Human Services (BCDHS).

For more information about the contents of this document, please contact Mandi Speakman, Deputy Director of Barnstable County Department of Human Services, at mandi.speakman@capecod.gov | (508) 470-4936

harm reduction

SAFE SPOT VIRTUAL SPOTTING SERVICE

SafeSpot was originally started as the Never Use Alone Massachusetts line in April 2020. We were staffed entirely by volunteer administrators and operators for the first two and a half years.

In October 2022, the RIZE-MA Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center to build capacity of the hotline under Stephen Murray and Dr. Alex Walley’s leadership. This funding enabled us to be the first overdose hotline in the United States to offer fully paid training to our volunteer operators, and supported the salaries of our executive director and a program coordinator.

In August 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (MDPH BSAS), awarded the hotline with a $350,000 emergency contract to continue our work. We proudly hired our first full time frontline operator and a call center coordinator in October 2023. In April 2024, our entire volunteer team was onboarded as per-diem operators and now are paid for every call they take, as well as training and supervision. SafeSpot is an emerging leader in best practices for operating a harm reduction friendly workplace.

HARM REDUCTION SERVICES IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS FOR PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS (PWUD)

The Commonwealth is committed to expanding access to harm reduction services to address the persistently high rates of fatal opioid overdoses and risks associated with the unregulated drug supply across the state. Harm reduction services for people who use drugs (PWUD) include, but are not limited to, provision of supplies such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and safer consumption materials. These interventions reduce the risk of overdose, bacterial infections, and the transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV. Please see the document linked below for recommendations and resources to support the integration of harm reduction services in healthcare settings.

Healthcare providers have an opportunity to strengthen comprehensive health promotion and disease prevention support for PWUD by incorporating harm reduction into their scopes of practice. It is the position of the Department of Public Health that no licensed healthcare professional should be subject to professional disciplinary action solely for the provision of harm reduction supplies or services to patients and the Commissioner has instructed all boards they may not discipline a healthcare professional solely for the provision of harm reduction supplies to a patient. Direct provision of harm reduction supplies or services by health care providers and referral to harm reduction services in community settings are lifesaving actions that are appropriate to clinical settings.

prevention

FENTANYL AWARENESS RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN 12 LANGUAGES

The Addiction Policy Forum released new fentanyl awareness resources available in 12 languages to help increase knowledge of fentanyl-related overdose risks. The project is supported by the Cencora Impact Foundation and the Ethnic Communities Opioids Response Network – Missouri (ECORN-MO) to provide open-source, science-backed prevention materials for communities and families with limited English proficiency.

Resources launched are available in the following languages:

FREE FAMILY MOVEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP

Join us for a FREE Weekly Family Movement and Wellness Group. Kids ages 4 to 12 years and their parents are welcome.

This program takes place Wednesdays from 5 PM – 6 PM. Pre-registration is required! Please call: (508) 815-5100.

Location: 29 Bassett Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601

POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH RISK WITH MEDICATIONS FROM ILLEGAL ONLINE PHARMACIES

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is informing the public about the dangers and risks among individuals ordering what they believe to be prescription medications from illegal online pharmacies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that there are online pharmacies that claim to sell prescription drugs at discounted prices, often without requiring a prescription, posing a potential risk to patients ordering. These online based pharmacies often sell unapproved, counterfeit, or otherwise unsafe medicines outside the safeguards followed by licensed pharmacies.

On September 30, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an indictment against individuals running illegal online pharmacies. According to the DOJ, these individuals are promoting, selling, producing, and shipping millions of unregulated counterfeit prescription pills to tens of thousands of people in the United States. People who ordered medicines from these illegal pharmacies could be at increased risk for overdose.

Patients who seek medication outside of the regulated healthcare system might increase their risk of overdose because counterfeit pills often contain fentanyl. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs contain it. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, and you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it.

Given the national drug overdose crisis and threats associated with the illegal drug market, individuals are urged to avoid using medication obtained from anyone other than a licensed clinician and licensed pharmacy.

recovery

THE WORK OF NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH CONTINUES

International Recovery Day

September 30, 2024 was International Recovery Day. It's a day to celebrate people striving to reach their full potential worldwide and bring hope to all those in or seeking recovery and their loved ones. Take this opportunity to support family and loved ones in recovery from mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Office of Recovery

Closer to home, SAMHSA is celebrating the second anniversary of its Office of Recovery. Over the past two years, with the collective support of SAMHSA, the Office of Recovery has worked to build partnerships at every level, including with our federal, state, and local partners and recovery community members. We thank you all for your important contributions that help us advance recovery research, initiatives, and opportunities.

How You Can Help

National Recovery Month may have ended, but millions of people begin or continue their recovery journeys every day. SAMHSA is dedicated to providing recovery support and resources to all. Many of the social media messages, graphics, and other resources found in the 2024 National Recovery Month toolkit can be used throughout the year.

treatment

TREATMENT.GOV IS NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH!

SAMHSA has launched FindTreatment.gov/es, the Spanish-language version of FindTreatment.gov.

Designed to serve Spanish-speaking communities, FindTreatment.gov/es offers confidential and anonymous access to a comprehensive list of certified substance use and mental health treatment facilities, certified community behavioral health clinics, opioid treatment programs, buprenorphine practitioners, and healthcare centers across the United States and its territories.

FindTreatment.gov/es offers Spanish-speaking individuals the ability to:

• Search for treatment from multiple sources such as certified substance use and mental health treatment facilities, opioid treatment programs, buprenorphine practitioners, and health care centers.
• Access an interactive map and search filters to tailor treatment options.
• Search for a facility by entering address, city, state, zip code or facility name.
• Download printer-friendly search results including facility location (i.e., phone number, address, website, etc.).

All searches on the site are anonymous and confidential – every single time.

Diseñad a para servir a las comunidades de habla hispana, FindTreatment.gov/es ofrece acceso confidencial y anónimo a una lista completa de instalaciones certificadas de tratamiento de uso de sustancias y salud mental, clínicas comunitarias de salud conductual certificadas, programas de tratamiento de opioides, practicantes de buprenorfina y centros de salud en los Estados Unidos y sus territorios.

FindTreatment.gov/es ofrece a las personas de habla hispana la capacidad de: Buscar tratamiento de múltiples fuentes, como instalaciones certificadas de tratamiento de uso de sustancias y salud mental, programas de tratamiento de opioides, practicantes de buprenorfina y centros de salud.

• Acceder a un mapa interactivo y filtros de búsqueda para personalizar las opciones de tratamiento.
• Buscar una instalación ingresando dirección, ciudad, estado, código postal o nombre de la instalación.
• Descargar resultados de búsqueda en formato imprimible que incluyen la ubicación de la instalación (es decir, número de teléfono, dirección, sitio web, etc.).

Todas las búsquedas en el sitio son anónimas y confidenciales, cada vez.

upcoming community events

COME TONIGHT FOR REAL TALK!

On October 10th at 6:30 PM, join us for REAL TALK: Breaking the Silence on Youth Mental Health at D-Y High School, hosted by BHI and @thequellfoundation. We’re excited to have Kevin Lynch, founder of The Quell Foundation, join us. Kevin has dedicated his life to reshaping mental health care and fighting stigma.

Kevin’s work is personal; after facing his own family’s struggles with mental illness, he launched initiatives like the Lift the Mask–Portraits of Life with Mental Illness documentary to inspire and educate. Together, we’ll watch the film and open the floor for REAL TALK! about mental health in our community. The first 150 attendees will receive a FREE REAL TALK! t-shirt!

Let’s come together to create an inclusive space to speak freely about our experiences. Bring a friend and join the conversation!

HOUSING TO PROTECT CAPE COD TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL HOUSING SUMMIT

Local officials, business leaders and community advocates will gather on October 17 for the third annual Housing to Protect Cape Cod (HPCC) Summit. 

This year’s summit will dive into the details of the historic Affordable Homes Act and discuss how Cape Codders can leverage the new policies and resources in the act to create more attainable year-round housing across our region.

Featured speakers include Edward Augustus, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities; State Senator Julian Cyr; and Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta. Town officials, business leaders and housing advocates from around the region will take part in panel discussions. 

The event will take place 8 :00 AM–1:00 PM at the Emerald Resort, 35 Scudder Avenue, Hyannis. It will conclude with recognition of three local housing champions and information about upcoming trainings for advocates and municipal officials. 

More than 300 attendees are expected. To register, visit housingtoprotectcapecod.org.

Registration by noon October 15 is requested.

YOUTH SUICIDE: HOW IS OUR COMMUNITY RESPONDING?

The Brewster Ladies’ Library Association's Discovery & Enrichment Series will present “Youth Suicide: How Is Our Community Responding?” at the library on Thursday, October 24, 6:00 PM–7:30 PM.

For ages 18–29, rates of death from suicide in Barnstable County have been the highest in the state for nearly two decades. Please join a conversation led by two local physicians with expertise in this topic—Dr. Bart Main and Dr. Kim Mead-Walters—and learn more about the actions our shared community is taking to reduce suicide risk.

To register, please go to https://www.brewsterladieslibrary.org/calendar. This program will be offered in person and via Zoom. For more information, contact BLLAEvents@BrewsterLadiesLibrary.org.

volunteer opportunities

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Do you have personal experience with methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone), or other substance use treatment services in Massachusetts? If so, we want to hear from you! By joining, you'll play a role in improving patient-centered substance use treatment across Massachusetts.

Why apply?

• Make a Difference: Help shape services for people seeking substance use treatment.
• Earn a Stipend: Participants receive $150 per meeting.

food resources

FOOD ACCESS CAPE COD

Be sure to download our Cape & Islands Food Access Resource Guide! This publication is updated regularly by the Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and contains all the information you need for food accessibility.

network of care

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ Network of Care (NOC) SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.

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