$860,000 In Grants To Fight Opioids In Worcester County

WORCESTER, MA—Worcester County just received nearly $1 million in grants to fight the opioid epidemic.

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. announced on Friday that his office received two federal grants totaling $860,000 to investigate opioid overdose deaths as homicides and to divert those suffering from substance use disorder into treatment.

“These grants will allow our office and our partners to address the opioid epidemic on two critical fronts,” Early said in a statement. “I know we will be able to save lives.”

The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-Based Program, funded with a $500,000 grant, starts in the Leominster, Gardner and Winchendon district courts and expand to district courts in Clinton, Fitchburg and Milford. Clinicians from AdCare Hospital will work with police and prosecutors to identify and screen individuals who may be appropriate for diversion to substance abuse treatment programs, continues the announcement.

The Innovative Prosecution Solutions grant, which totals $360,000, focuses on Fitchburg and Milford with the potential to expand to other communities.

Research partners from Fitchburg State University will collect and review local data directly and indirectly correlated with overdose deaths to identify concentrated spots of overdose deaths, non-fatal overdoses and crime. Fitchburg and Milford Police along with the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s will be able to use this information to identify larger scale drug distribution networks.

“I am looking forward to working with Fitchburg State University, which is a partner in both grants, AdCare Hospital, local police and the courts. I also want to thank Congressman James McGovern for his help in securing the grants,” Early said in the statement. “Working together, we can make a difference.”

Photos and information via office of Worcester County DA