Attleboro, Seekonk Firefighters Team Up To Battle Opioid Epidemic

ATTLEBORO, MA — The Attleboro and Seekonk fire departments are teaming up with Sturdy Memorial Hospital and local substance abuse treatment centers to fight against opioid addiction, reported The Sun Chronicle.

In the new program, called Leave Narcan Behind, paramedics will give out nasal Narcan kits to addicts and their supporters at the scenes of overdoses to prevent a future overdose.

According to fire officials, after addicts are treated with Narcan, a medication that reverses the effects of Opioids, they sometimes refuse to go to a hospital. This raises concerns that the person may overdose again.

As part of the program, those involved in a household with opioids are given a kit with two doses of Narcan and instructed how to use it. The kits will also include information on where to get treatment.

The program is being funded in part by Column Health, a substance abuse treatment center in Attleboro that donated $500 to purchase Narcan kits, and Herren Wellness and Recovery Center in Seekonk, which donated $600 for kits. The kits cost about $70 each.

Fire officials say the hope is that the kits will save lives and get people into treatment. As of Sunday, several kits have been given out in Seekonk and none in Attleboro yet.

Addicts or family members seeking help should call the Massachusetts Substance Use Hotline at 1-800-327-5050 or go to helplinema.org.