Arlington Hosts Opioid Community Training and Support

ARLINGTON, MA—Heroin and opioid addiction has hit home for many in the Commonwealth, and residents are starting to fight back.

Forty opioid overdoses were reported in Arlington last year. According to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office, Lowell has seen a 180 percent increase in overdose deaths between 2014 and 2015. 

Chief Fredrick Ryan announced that the police department will host an Addiction Community Training and Support meeting on Feb. 24. The meeting will feature speaker Woody Giessmann from Right Turn Recovery Center.

“Woody Giessmann will bring a unique insight on the challenges those struggling with the disease of addiction face on a daily basis, while providing resources for family and friends to help their loved ones recover,” Chief Ryan said in a statement. “We encourage residents to attend to obtain valuable resources and training surrounding addiction.”

Giessmann, a former drummer for the rock band , the Del Fuegos. He started Right Turn to provide a unique approach to recovery. The organiztion was launched in 2003 and provides intensive outpatient treatment and extended care for addiction, medication assisted treatment and intervention

The event runs from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the Arlington Youth Counseling Center located at the Whittemore Robbins House at 670R Massachusetts Avenue.