Medford to Host Community Meeting on Opioid Use

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The City of Medford’s Prevention and Outreach Office, which functions as part of Medford’s Board of Health Office, seeks the help of local residents.

A community conversation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in the Howard F. Alden Council Chambers at Medford City Hall. The event is an important and interactive way for citizens to brainstorm with each other to address strategies to change opioid use in Medford.

It is open to the whole community, as well as, those in active addiction recovery, families who have been affected by addiction or concerned friends of past and present users.

Medford is dedicated to combating the rise in opioid use in the community. Mayor Michael J. McGlynn recognized the need for the City’s Health Department to focus on prevention, intervention, and treatment of substance use and addiction. The Health Department has been working closely with the schools and other community organizations on primary prevention and preventing first use of drugs for many years, and has had considerable success in the area of prevention.

However, this new initiative for how Medford addresses intervention, treatment and recovery supports, requires community input to be successful. The plan will include working closely with the Police and Fire departments, as well as partnering with Armstrong Ambulance to create systems for intervention, treatment and recovery support groups.