| |  | Barnstable County Regional Substance Addiction Council (RSAC) monthly E-newsletter is a tether of communication across towns, providers, organizations, and individuals on Cape Cod providing information on substance use across the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. | | OCTOBER IS SUBSTANCE USE & MISUSE PREVENTION MONTH | | |
To inspire action, each of us can share how prevention is improving lives in our community.
We aim to prevent substance use in the first place, prevent the progression of use (to a disorder), and prevent consequences associated with use.
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.
| | BFREE WELLNESS "JOIN US FOR SOBER OCTOBER" | | |
This October, we're launching our new annual Sober October initiative to support those exploring alcohol-free living. Whether you're sober-curious or committed to sobriety, our programming includes community support, movement and mindfulness practices, as well as individualized tools for navigating social situations without alcohol.
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October 29, 2025
9:30 AM-12:00 PM EST
Participants will learn about opioids and risk factors for overdose. They will then explore strategies for rescues and practice using scenarios.
| OPIOID OVERDOSE PREVENTION | |
October 16, 2025
9:30 AM-12:00 PM EST
Participants will explore strategies to address the risks of overdose with a harm reduction approach. The scenario-based training providers opportunities for discussion and practice about issues of safety, grief, and moving towards behavior change.
| HOW TO HAVE A SUPPORTIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE | |
October 14, 2025 – October 15, 2025
2:00 PM-4:00 PM EST
Looking for a more supportive way to have conversations about substance use?
Join us for a two-part, interactive virtual training focused on learning and practicing skills based in Motivational Interviewing (MI), to enhance conversations about substance use. In this training, you’ll learn and practice 6 conversation skills that can be used individually or together to help you have more collaborative conversations focused on substance use.
This training will be interactive, with time to observe, practice, and debrief concepts through varied learning activities. Because we will be using breakout rooms, we hope participants will be open to actively participating from an individual computer with audio and video capability.
| IDENTIFYING & ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE USE WITH THE CRAFFT | |
October 30, 2025
9:00 AM-12:00 PM EST
Looking for a more proactive and supportive way to talk about substance use with your youth participants?
Join us for an interactive virtual training focused on identifying and addressing substance use among youth, ages 12+. This training will introduce participants to the practice of SBIRT: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, an evidence-based approach.
SBIRT allows providers to quickly identify individuals with unhealthy substance use and initiate productive conversations focused on harm reduction. In this training, you’ll learn each step of the SBIRT process, become familiar with the CRAFFT+N screening tool, and practice skills and strategies to discuss substance use with youth.
This training will be interactive, with time to observe, practice, and debrief concepts through varied learning activities. Because we will be using breakout rooms, we hope participants will be open to actively participating from an individual computer with audio and video capability.
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YOGA OF THE 12-STEPS WITH RITA, NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED, ALL ARE WELCOME!
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Y12 "connects the dots" between the ancient wisdom of yoga, the practical tools of 12-step programs, and the latest research on trauma healing and neurobiology.
| SECOND ACT: RECOVERY THROUGH THEATRE AT WHAT | Second Act is a unique, community-based recovery program, created by recovery coach Dana Demers in collaboration with Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre, that harnesses the transformative power of theatre to support individuals healing from substance use disorders. | | APPLICATION FOR TRAINING OF TRAINERS (TOT) IN CLINICAL SKILLS 101 (IN PERSON) | | |
Two Days:
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Marlborough
Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Marlborough
This training will cover content for training staff on key components of being a non-licensed “Recovery Professional,” covering topics such as documentation, behavior change, levels of care, case management, addressing challenges, and treatment and aftercare planning. Additionally, a 2-hour virtual “Coaching” session related to training implementation and will be scheduled.
Presented by: Devin Stevenson & Adept Educational Institute, Inc. For general training questions, please reach out to sarahevan.colvario2@mass.gov.
| | DSM-5 INTENSIVE: SUBSTANCE RELATED AND ADDICTIVE DISORDERS (VIRTUAL) | | |
October 10, 2025
9:00 AM-4:00 PM EST
This workshop will review each component of the Substance Use and Addictive Disorders diagnoses will be comprehensively reviewed. The review will cover diagnostic criteria, complications and challenges within the diagnostic category, current treatments to include current medications, and issues related to gender, culture, etc. as they relate to the diagnosis and treatment of the disorders. Specific focus will be paid to the developmental struggles in individuals who are not treated as children and the life challenges that increase with the maturation process.
| | upcoming community events | | AGING AND DISABILITY LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST | TRUNK OR TREAT AT HYANNIS HONDA! | | HPC IS HIRING: Youth Outreach Worker and Director of Development | | BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL 2025 FARMERS MARKET CALENDAR | | Nutrition educators have assisted in coordination of Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod with the mission of connecting people and businesses on the Cape with locally grown farm and sea products. Through Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod, resources are created to assist individuals and families in purchasing, cooking, and storing fresh foods. Below are collections of cooking videos, recipes, cookbooks, and other resources to help families and communities better understand Cape Cod’s local food system and access to fresh, local food. | |
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.
| | | ARE YOU REPRESENTED ON OUR NETWORK OF CARE SERVICE DIRECTORY WEBSITE? | |
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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