Greenfield Comprehensive Harm Reduction Program
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On Wednesday, August 10th, the Greenfield Board of Health voted under new legislation to unanimously approve a Comprehensive Harm Reduction Program in Greenfield. The decision came after the passing of a new state amendment, which transfers the authority to approve such programs from Town Councils to local Boards of Health. 
The Comprehensive Harm Reduction Program will aim to:
- Reduce hepatitis C rates
- Offer a safe space for active users to exchange and dispose of used syringes
- Connect community members with local resources, treatment providers, and social service agencies
"The board is to be commended for a thorough examination of what such a program means and for understanding the role this program will play in reducing health and safety concerns for not only drug users but the public at large. And the board also knows it is not a cure-all for the opioid epidemic but rather just another step in the battle" ~ Editorial: Kudos for needles program
Click here to read more about the approval process in the Recorder
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Substance Use Disorder Treatment & Recovery Panel
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A free training open to all attorneys in
Franklin & Hampshire Counties.
When? Wednesday, August 24,
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Where? Franklin County Courthouse
Jury Pool Room
101 Munson Street, Greenfield
Panelists will include professionals from:
- The North Quabbin Community Coalition
- Behavioral Health Network, Inc.
- The Recovery Community
- ...and more!
Click the image for a PDF flyer
For questions or more information, please contact Christine Baronas at fcbar@franklincountybar.org or Tess Jurgensen at tess@opioidtaskforce.org
Sponsored by Franklin County Bar Association Advocates, Inc. and
the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County & the North Quabbin Region
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Overdose Prevention Trainings
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The Task Force is working with Tapestry Health and the North Quabbin Community Coalition to host a series of opioid overdose prevention and nasal Narcan trainings. These trainings are free and open to all interested community members.
Trainings will take place in August and September, and will be held in Greenfield, Orange, Turners Falls, Petersham and Shelburne Falls.
Questions?
Please contact Liz Whynott at
lwhynott@tapestryhealth.org
All participants will be given a free Narcan Kit.
Click the image above for a PDF flyer
For more information about how to access Narcan (Nalaxone) in Massachusetts, click here.
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MOAR Meetings at the Recover Project
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The Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery ( MOAR) will be meeting at the Recover Project in Greenfield (68 Federal Street) on the third Wednesday of every month at 3:30 pm. Please note the exception of this month's meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, August 24th.
MOAR's mission is to organize recovering individuals, families and friends into a collective voice to educate the public about the value of recovery from alcohol and other addictions.
Attend the Greenfield MOAR meetings to support the recovery community and help advocate for addiction and recovery services.
Open to all community members!
For more information, please contact Annie Parkinson at (857) 208-5277
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Voices from Inside (VFI) is a non-profit organization that conducts writing workshops for women in recovery from addiction, and women who have been or are currently incarcerated. VFI workshops provide a supportive group environment where women can write together and receive feedback and encouragement from each other.
When? Wednesdays
1:30 - 3:30 pm
68 Federal Street, Greenfield
For more information or to register, contact Lani Morton at
(413) 522-7998 or
Tara McNamara at (413) 273-9633
Click the image above for a PDF flyer
To learn more about Voices From Inside, check out their website
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Come celebrate National Recovery Month at this year's Recovery Jam music festival!
When? September 24th, 2016
Where? Camp Apex, Shelburne Falls, MA
Click the image above for a PDF flyer.
Tickets for Recovery Jam can be purchased at the Recover Project (68 Federal Street in Greenfield) or by emailing Tess Jurgensen at tess@opioidtaskforce.org
Music, food, friends, FUN!
Hosted by the Recover Project
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Overdose Prevention Infographics
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Do you know how to administer nasal Narcan, recognize and respond to an o pioid overdose? Take a look at these new overdose prevention materials we put together in collaboration with the North Quabbin Community Coalition and the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
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Please feel free to use & share these infographics among your networks!
Check out our website for more overdose prevention materials.
If you would like to request printed copies, please contact Tess Jurgensen at tess@opioidtaskforce.org
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Chronic Pain Support Group
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Pain Pals is a peer-to-peer support group for people who suffer with chronic pain.
This group is free and open to community members!
For questions or more information, please contact Jayne at the YMCA in Greenfield: (413) 773-3646 ext 448
Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer
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In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, there will be a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, August 31st, at 6:00 pm on the front  steps of the First Churches of Northampton (129 Main Street). Join Tapestry Health and the surrounding communities for an evening of remembrance, hope, awareness and action.
Click here to find out how you can participate in International Overdose Awareness Day, support overdose prevention efforts, and remember lives lost to drug overdose.
Click the image for more details and a PDF flyer.
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September is National Recovery Month 2016!
Recovery Month is a national movement designed to celebrate recovery and raise awareness for mental health and substance use disorders. This year's theme, 'Our Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery,' draws attention to the critical role that families play throughout the journey of recovery.
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Click the infographic above for statistics about substance use in the U.S.
Visit the National Recovery Month website to learn how you can participate and promote Recovery month
Sponsored by
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Springfield Paper Tigers Screening
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On Wednesday, August 24, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm there will be a community screening and panel discussion of Paper Tigers, a film th at examines how fostering Trauma Informed Communities can help heal traumatized youth.
Where? Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA
To view the trailer and learn more about the film, click here.
Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer
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Opioid Epidemic
Hack-a-Thon
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From September 9-11 the GE Foundation and CAMTech are partnering to  host an Opioid Epidemic Challenge Summit & Hack-a-thon in Boston, MA. Clinicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, designers, students and others are invited to attend.
- Cross-collaborate
- Problem solve
- Create real change!
The hack-a-thon will address the opioid epidemic on all fronts including prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.
Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer
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The Prevalence of Trauma in Families and Community
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A FREE Virtual Conference on Thursday, August 25th
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This webinar will begin with a presentation entitled, Understanding that Trauma is the Expectation, Rather Than the Exception in Families and Communities.
Additional topics covered include:
- Prevalence of Trauma in Women and Children
- Trauma Informed Treatment for Men with Substance Use Disorders
- The Prevalence of Trauma in Veterans
Click here for more information about the conference, including break-out sessions and registration.
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Prevention of Marijuana Use and the Brain
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The MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) & AdCare Educational Institute, Inc. are sponsoring a one-day workshop about marijuana and the brain:
- Understand how the adolescent brain is uniquely vulnerable to drugs of abuse
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- Identify environmental risk factors (for example, access and visual images or cues) that facilitate drug use
- Explain how marijuana affects the brain and behavior
- ...and more!
Click here for more information and to register
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