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The Department has five initiatives this year: Coalition,Caron Treatment Center,Community Health
<br /> Substance Use; Mental Health; Homelessness; Center, Council on Aging, Duffy Health Center,
<br /> Advocacy for the Disabled (Food Delivery to the Gosnold, Moms Do Care, Narcotics Anonymous,
<br /> Disabled)and Supporting Regional Initiatives. Parents Supporting Parents, Recovery Champions,
<br /> PIER Recovery Center,South Bay Mental Health,Teen
<br /> The Mashpee Substance Use Task Force was Challenge, Law Offices of Michaela D. McCuish,
<br /> started in September of 2016, through the support of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and WellStrong.
<br /> the Town Manager and the Selectman and the
<br /> leadership of this Department. The Task Force brings On the first Drop-In Night,a young man who had
<br /> together a multi-sector group of dedicated and been struggling with addiction for many years was
<br /> passionate Town Department Heads,outside agencies brought in by his friend. After meeting with the
<br /> and support groups, and concerned citizens. The Gosnold Recovery Coach, he got into detox the next
<br /> mission of the Mashpee Substance Use Task Force is to day and his friend wrote to the Enterprise that the Drop-
<br /> promote community awareness of substance use In saved his friend's life. As we held our seventh
<br /> through education,prevention and treatment,to build a Drop-In Night in December,many individuals and their
<br /> healthy, safe and drug-free community. The Goals of families had been connected to treatment.
<br /> the Task Force is to 1)Engage the community with our
<br /> wellness campaign, "It's Never Too Early...Or Too Members of the Mashpee Substance Use Task
<br /> Late" to prevent substance use and reduce stigma Force play a crucial role at Drop-In Night. The
<br /> associated with addiction,2) Educate the community Clinicians, Jen Monaghan with South Bay Mental
<br /> about the individual and family treatment options Health and Jillian Martin with the Community Health
<br /> available and connect those in need with treatment Center of Cape Cod, volunteer their time to assist
<br /> providers, and 3) Promote the safe disposal of anyone who needs immediate assessment. Members
<br /> prescription medications in order to decrease access to of the Task Force serve as greeters, helpers and in
<br /> those struggling with addiction. general make attendees feel welcome. Mary Lou
<br /> Palumbo,with the Mashpee Chamber,insures there is
<br /> The Mashpee Substance Use Task Force had a food at each Drop-In Night.Recently,Cape Cod Coffee
<br /> very successful and groundbreaking year with the has agreed to be our coffee sponsor, and the Mashpee
<br /> "Mashpee Drop-In Nights for Substance Use Education Schools are providing the food for the Drop-In Night
<br /> and Treatment Resources Options." In January of through June. Additionally, many local groups have
<br /> 2017, Chief Scott Allen with the East Bridgewater generously donated food for the evening. It is the
<br /> Police Department made a presentation to the Mashpee collaboration of all Town sectors that has made this a
<br /> Substance Use Task Force about a proactive"out of the successful resource for the Community.To promote the
<br /> box" approach to combatting the opioid crisis—Drop- Drop-In Night, a marketing campaign was launched
<br /> In Nights. In pulling together different through local radio stations, and through our weekly
<br /> Treatment/Recovery providers, they were able to column in the Mashpee Enterprise.
<br /> typically get someone into detox within 24 hours and
<br /> had resources not only for the individuals struggling Another initiative that the Substance Use Task
<br /> but for family member and friends as well. After Force worked to promote is the Safe Disposal of
<br /> coming back for a second presentation to the Prescription Medication through promoting the
<br /> community,the Task Force decided to be the first town disposal kiosk available 24 hours/day in the lobby of
<br /> on the Cape to pilot the Drop-In Night as a response to the Mashpee Police Station. This is such an important
<br /> the opioid crisis. Karen Gardner, CEO for the resource to dispose of unwanted and unused
<br /> Community Health Center,offered space at the Health prescription medication.
<br /> Center the first Tuesday of the month.I want to thank
<br /> the Community Health Center for collaborating on this In looking at prevention, the Task Force
<br /> important initiative. developed a Drug Educational Display, together with
<br /> the Mashpee Police and Stacey Shakel, the School
<br /> Following the EB HOPE model, 15 partners Nurse. A board with pictures of drugs, along with
<br /> signed on to be part of the first Drop-In Night on June educational information, were displayed at all of the
<br /> 6, 2017. As of December 2017, partners include: school open houses in the fall to open the conversation
<br /> Adcare, AIDS Support Group, Alateen, Alcoholics and encourage parents to speak to their kids about the
<br /> Anonymousm, Cape Cod Neighborhood Support dangers of drugs.
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