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Harrington, Southbridge cops team up to reduce opioid overdoses

Harrington HealthCare System on Wednesday announced a partnership with the Southbridge Police Department, local recovery coach volunteers and other town services that the organizations hope will help reduce the number of opioid and heroin overdoses in Southbridge.

Harrington’s behavioral health department is partnering with local law enforcement to offer the Community Assisted Recovery for Everyone program, which will provide individuals who come to the police department requesting substance use disorder-related recovery services with comprehensive, around-the-clock assessments, according to Harrington.

Southbridge had 13 overdoses in the past month, three of which were fatal, according to a media advisory from Harrington. The other 10 would have been fatal if it weren’t for the administration of overdose-fighting medicine, according to Harrington.

The Southbridge initiative is based on the Gloucester Police Department’s ANGEL program, which helps people suffering from substance abuse disorder by helping them access treatment, rather than arresting them. This program has received national attention for its compassionate approach to substance abuse disorders.
– Digital Partners -

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