Bedford To Provide Free Access To Narcan

BEDFORD, MA – The Bedford police and fire departments, Bedford Youth and Family Services and the Bedford Board of Health have partnered to provide residents with free access to the overdose reversal drug Narcan, according to a press release.

"This partnership will provide an invaluable resource for our entire community," Police Chief Robert Bongiorno said in an announcement. "I am proud of the collaborative effort that's been on display in Bedford and beyond as we all work together to stop the spread of opioid addiction and ultimately save lives."

Through its partnership with the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI), the nine Central Middlesex Police Partnership member communities – Acton, Bedford, Concord, Carlisle, Lincoln, Lexington, Stow, Maynard and Hanscom Air Force Base – will receive support from an AmeriCorps recovery coach to work with people battling substance abuse disorders.

The recovery coach, with the support of Bedford police and the JDP clinician, will provide Bedford residents with Narcan and train them on how to use it. Residents can visit the Bedford Police Department and request Narcan, or the recovery coach and a police officer will meet people in need elsewhere in town to provide it.

"We're extremely grateful for the support of all of our partner agencies who made this new outreach effort possible," Youth and Family Services Director Sue Baldauf said in a statement. "This will better enable us to connect with families in our community and offer them the resources they need to help their loved ones overcome the challenge of substance abuse."

Patch File Photo