MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead police and public health officials are continuing a community education effort on addiction and recovery with a second six-week public program set to begin Oct. 20.
The free "Understanding Addiction and Recovery" series will be held over Zoom on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. through Nov. 24.
The educational series was launched in February 2026. The program is intended to give residents "a deeper, more informed perspective on addiction, recovery and the resources available within the community."
The sessions are open to the public and are designed to create what the announcement describes as a welcoming, judgment-free space for learning and discussion.
Conversations will be facilitated by Michelle Simons, a Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor and Addiction Studies Educator who also serves as the town of Swampscott's Opioid Settlement Fund Project Coordinator, and Gina Rabbitt, a Licensed Mental Health Clinician employed by Beth Israel Lahey Health.
Rabbitt is embedded in the Marblehead Police Department as its in-house Jail Diversion Clinician/Co-Responder.
Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King said the program is meant to help shift how addiction is discussed in the community.
"This series plays an important role in reshaping conversations around addiction to focus on empathy and understanding simply by raising awareness of what addiction may look like," King said. "Our first series in February was extremely productive and thought-provoking, and we are pleased to be able to collaborate with the Public Health Department so that the series can continue to reach more members of our community."
Residents seeking more information can contact Simons at michelle.simons24@gmail.com or Rabbitt at RabbittG@marbleheadma.gov.
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