National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
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Saturday, October 22, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day!
Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a great opportunity for community  members to safely dispose of unused or unwanted prescription medication. In Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region, collection sites are available at the following Police Departments:
Athol
Deerfield
Greenfield
Leverett
Sunderland
- Click here to learn why it's important to safely store prescription drugs, and for information about free collection sites in Hampshire County, Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
- For information and FAQs about the Disposal of Controlled Substances Act, click here.
- Infographics and educational materials from the Opioid Task Force about safe storage are available for download here.
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To search collection sites nationally, visit the U.S. DEA website and click "Locate a Collection Site Near You"
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Recover Project Halloween Dance Party
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Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer
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The Opioid Crisis: How Faith Communities Can Help
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A program for clergy, laity and faith-based communities. This event will feature presentations by Rev. Charles Taylor of the United Church of Ware and Rev. Mike Clark, Recovery-Outreach Minister at Belmont-Watertown (MA) United Methodist Church.
When? Sunday, October 30, 12:30-3:00 pm
Where? First Churches, Lyman Hall, 129 Main Street, Northampton
- Learn about what faith-based communities are doing to support members and neighbors affected by substance use disorder
- Connect with other participants and share ideas
RSVP kindly requested to Rev. Susan Grant Rosen at (413) 247- 6337 or via email at susangr3@gmail.com.
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An Assessment of Opioid-Related Deaths in MA
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"The findings of this initial report can immediately inform our collective work with new insight into overdose-related deaths and the relative risks faced by different populations," ~ Monica Bharel, Commissioner, Department of Public Health
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health ( DPH) has released their report assessing opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts for the years 2013 and 2014. Key findings of the DPH report:
- Prescription drugs fuel the opioid epidemic, but illegally-obtained substances are more closely linked to overdose deaths;
- Medication assisted treatment (MAT) reduces the risk of fatal overdose;
- Women are more likely than men to experience a fatal overdose due to prescription opioid use;
- Individuals who have recently been released from Massachusetts prisons are 56 times as likely to die from an opioid related overdose.
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To access the entire report, click here or
click here for the data brief.
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Marijuana and the Teen Brain
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On Wednesday, October 19th, Dr Stephen Martin, MD of the Barre Family Health Center, will be presenting "Marijuana and the Teenage Brain" at Quabbin Regional High School. Topics of discussion will includ  e:
- Facts and information regarding marijuana use
- Legalization and ballot question #4
- How the substance of marijuana has evolved over the past few decades
Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer.
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New Rule Helps Expand MAT for Opiod Use Disorders
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On September 27th, 2016, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) finalized new reporting requirements for physicians prescribing buprenorphine at the maximum cap of 275 patients. These reporting requirements help SAMHSA monitor physicians prescribing at higher-levels and ensure that prescribing practices are safe, appropriate, and in compliance with HHS recommendations.
In an effort to expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), SAMHSA finalized a new rule on July 8, 2016, which allows physicians who have had a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for up to 100 patients for a year or more, to obtain a waiver to treat up to 275 patients.
To read the full press release, click here.
For more information about MAT and buprenorphine, please click here.
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Poverty and the Developing Brain
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Are you interested in learning about how poverty affects the student brain? Check out this upcoming workshop p  resented by Dr. John Almorode, Department Head and Assistant Professor in the College of Education at James Madison University.
When? Friday, October 28, 8:00 am - 2:45 pm
Where? Mahar Regional School, Orange, MA
For questions or more information, please contact Marie Cole at (978) 544-2542 or via email at mcole@rcmahar.org
Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer.
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Training Active Bystanders
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Last week, members of the Opioid Task Force visited Pioneer High School to hear from students leaders learning how to facilitate active bystander trainings with their peers. TAB trainings at Pioneer are led by professionals from Quabbin Mediation, a community-based organization committed to helping people resolve conflicts, learn communication skills, and intervene in harmdoing situations.
"Training Active Bystanders (TAB) is  a program for students and teachers to learn how to interrupt harmful situations with a variety of safe intervention techniques. Student-led trainings help students and teachers have the competence and confidence to intervene in negative situations and create a safer environment in the school."
Opioid Task Force Co-Chairs Sheriff Chris Donelan
and Register John Merrigan listen to students talk about how
the TAB training has improved their school climate.
To learn more about the TAB curriculum, visit this website.
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Community Education Forum on Marijuana
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A community education forum about marijuana's effects on adolescent brain development, regional substance abuse prevention eff  orts, public health considerations to promote youth health, and more!
When? October 26, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Where? Northampton Council on Aging, 67 Conz Street, Northampton
This event is free and open to the public.
Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer.
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Glo! at Community Action Family Center
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GLO! is an 8-week series hosted by Community Action's Family Center to build self-confidence, self-love and respect in girls.
When? Mondays from 4:00 - 6:00 pm starting on October 24th
Where? Community Action Family Center,
90 Federal Street, Greenfield
For referrals, registration, or more information, please contact Marianne Bullock at mbullock@communityaction.us.
To learn more about Community Action's Family Center or for their full October calendar, visit their website.
Click the image above for details and a PDF flyer.
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Massachusetts Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness
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On Tuesday, December 16, from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation is hosting a free Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA.
"The Massachusetts Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness is a half-day Summit designed to educate middle and high school students about the dangers of opioid addiction while promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle."
Participants will:
- Watch the short film "If Only," produced by James Wahlberg
- Hear from a keynote speaker about their personal experience with addiction and recovery
- Engage in discussions about the role of youth in combating the opioid epidemic
Click here for program details and registration.
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Job Posting: Quaboag Hills Substance Use Task Force
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The Quaboag Hills Substance Use Task Force is hiring a full-time project coordinator for their Drug Free Communities grant. Job duties and responsibilities include:
- Overseeing all operations of the Task Force including member
recruitment, fund raising, public relations, communications, documentation of work, reporting, and project implementation
- Facilitating community partners in processes to conduct strategic planning and guiding the Task Force to develop its comprehensive DFC Action Plan
- Assisting with fiscal oversight, record-keeping functions, and program reporting
Click here for the complete job posting.
For more information about the Quaboag Hills
Substance Use Task Force, click here.
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Boston Public Health Commission Health Advisory
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Due to an increase in suspected overdose deaths, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has issued a health advisory urging the public to be extra vigilant in identifying and responding to overdoses. Since the beginning of this year, BPHC has responded to 2,370 suspected narcotic-related incidents, 1,245 of which required the administration of Narcan.
The Good Samaritan Law encourages people to call 911 in the event of a  n overdose, and serves to protect those who call 911 and overdose victims from prosecution.
For more information and to read the entire advisory,
click here.
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