The state Department of Public Health is reiterating its assist for supervised injection websites, saying they might assist “prevent fatal overdoses” within the Bay State after an area board backed opening a facility.
The Worcester Board of Health this week voted to OK an overdose prevention middle pilot program.
This vote comes because the opioid epidemic continues to wreak havoc throughout the area, and within the wake of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reporting that supervised injection websites would assist slash the variety of opioid overdoses and deaths.
Following the Worcester vote this week, the Herald reached out to the state Department of Public Health about its stance on an overdose prevention middle in Worcester. DPH in response mentioned the opening of overdose prevention facilities would offer the state “with an additional tool to prevent fatal overdoses.”
“DPH is committed to reducing overdose deaths and ensuring that individuals in the state have access to the harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services they need, when they need it,” a DPH spokesperson mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday.
“After a comprehensive review, DPH found that Overdose Prevention Centers are an evidence-based, life-saving tool that is aligned with a comprehensive, public health approach to substance use and overdose risk,” the state company spokesperson added.
Overdose prevention facilities, which have operated for many years in different international locations like Canada and Australia, are websites the place individuals can use medication beneath the supervision of educated workers — who can administer overdose reversal remedy, also called Narcan.
No overdose dying has ever been reported at a sanctioned overdose prevention middle.
The Worcester Board of Health vote on Monday was to assist piloting an overdose prevention middle, with state Department of Public Health approval.
“DPH hopes that all municipalities feel supported in their efforts to expand harm reduction services in their communities and will continue to be a resource to Worcester and any other city or town interested in learning more about OPCs,” DPH mentioned in an announcement.
“It is critical that an OPC establishment receives local support to be successful,” DPH added. “Existing local and state data should also be utilized to ensure that an OPC would be located where it would meet the needs of people who use drugs and those at risk of overdose.”
DPH a number of months in the past reported that greater than 2,300 overdose deaths occurred within the state throughout a latest one-year span.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”