Worcester DA's Office Awarded $1.2M Grant For Overdose Response

WORCESTER COUNTY, MA — The Worcester County District Attorney's Office was awarded a $1.2 million in grant to help facilitate outreach to those who’ve suffered an overdose.

Police in all 60 of Worcester County’s cities and towns began using the Critical Incident Management System earlier this year to track overdose incidents. The grant will be used to fund recovery coaches that will respond with police to follow up and offer services after an overdose.

“We’re glad to have been awarded this grant so we can help support our police partners in their response to the opioid epidemic,” DA Joseph Early said. “When we implemented CIMS, our goal was respond to every overdose incident and help people get access to services. This grant will ensure that overdose victims in every community receive help getting into treatment and on the path to recovery.”

While many departments already have follow-up protocols in place, the funding will allow recovery coaches to work on a regional basis and assist police departments that may not have the budget to employ someone full time.

The grant was awarded through the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program and will cover a three-year period beginning in early 2021.