Substance Use in Massachusetts:
Resources for Regional Pathways to Prevention, Harm Reduction, and Recovery
It takes all of us working together on a regional approach to make a difference.
Approximately 9% of Massachusetts population over the age of 12 has a substance use disorder
(SAMHSA). Substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home (SAMHSA).
MAPC knows that each municipality in the region is (and has been) doing the work on the front lines of this substance use crisis, every single day, working to save lives. COVID-19 didn't help. According to statistics from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, opioid-related overdose deaths increased by 9% between 2020 and 2021.
An all-out regional approach is needed. Be a part of the effort to address this important challenge and find collaborative solutions towards a region/state in which individuals have access to the care and support they need.
Our goal for the creation of this resources page is that it will support the ongoing regional prevention, harm reduction, and recovery work. This is your page and it's fluid. If you are looking for a resource, and it isn't here, let us know. We will consistently be adding to and updating this page.
For Watching
Below you will find recordings from MAPC about municipal approaches to substance use in the Commonwealth.
Get in Touch
Questions?
Recommendations for Resources to Add?
Claire Hoffman
Public Health Planner II
([email protected]).
How You Can Get Involved
MAPC, in partnership with the RIZE Foundation, hosts round table discussions for municipal staff working on a variety of Substance Use Disorder programs. If you are interested in joining these virtual conversations, please contact Claire Hoffman, [email protected].
Update
In early December, Governor Healey signed a FY23 closeout supplemental budget. This budget included policy changes to make it easier for cities and towns to receive and spend opioid settlement funds. Many municipalities were facing challenges with these dedicated funds that can be used for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. New language clarifies that cities and towns that have received, or will receive, funds from opioid settlement agreements may place the funds into a special revenue fund. This special revenue fund can be expended at the direction of the chief executive officer. Additionally, if a community has already received these funds, there are new consolidation measures to support the municipality creation of a special revenue fund.
If you have questions, please contact:
Georgia Barlow
[email protected]
Claire Hoffman
[email protected]
Substance Use in Massachusetts: Regional Pathways to Prevention and Recovery Webinar Series
In early 2023, MAPC hosted a three-part webinar series focused on creating regional solutions to the Commonwealth’s substance use epidemic. One of the goals for the series was to bring municipalities together to address the substance use challenge and find collaborative solutions towards a region/state in which individuals have access to the care and support they need.
Webinar One
Webinar One: Understanding the Substance Use Landscape
Experts in the field talk about their work to create prevention and recovery solutions on this continuing crisis.
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[Video is embedded from YouTube, still photo includes the MAPC logo, a headshot of Claire Hoffman from MAPC, and the text: Webinar Understanding the Substance Use Landscape, Claire Hoffman, MPH]
Webinar Two
Webinar Two: Shared Challenges and Best Practices
Municipal, health care, and social service providers discussed ways that municipalities can provide services and supports for substance use disorder through regional and collaborative approaches.
No presentation slides for this webinar
[Video is embedded from YouTube, still photo includes the MAPC logo, a screenshot of one of the panelists speaking, and the text: Webinar: Substance Use... and includes the date of the recording]
Webinar Three
Solutions and Funding: Where Do We Go From Here?
The focus of the third and final webinar was on funding and policy for implementing sustainable, long-term solutions.
[Video is embedded from YouTube, still photo includes the MAPC logo, a headshot of Claire Hoffman of MAPC speaking, and the text: Solutions and Funding:...Principles for Use of Funds]
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The Opioid Epidemic: A Mother's Reckoning
In 2020, MAPC Artist-in-Residence Hortense Gerardo, along with The Boom House Productions, set out to create a short video (“video-let”) sharing the story of a family who lost their son/brother to the opioid epidemic, and how The Opioid Project helped them.
[Video is embedded from YouTube, includes the MAPC logo, and a still photo of a woman talking. Text on the screen: The Opioid Epidemic: A Mother's Reckoning. Robyn Houston-Bean, Nick's Mother]
Additional Resources
The following are resources provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, community organizations, some of our partner organizations, and more.
We encourage you to take advantage of connecting with these entities who are also doing this work.
State Level Resources
Federal Level Resources
Municipal Level Resources
Intervention Repositories
Data
Partner with MAPC
This work takes all of us working together in collaboration as a region.
Is your municipality interested in partnering with MAPC for a prevention, harm reduction, and/or recovery project your community is working on? Let's talk!
Claire Hoffman
Public Health Planner II
[email protected]