ICYMI: How Somerville Is Addressing The Opioid Crisis

SOMERVILLE, MA – Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released data about opioid-related deaths statewide in 2016 – and the numbers were troubling. Deaths were on the rise across Massachusetts, and Somerville saw a sharp uptick in opioid-related deaths over five years.

In 2016, 21 deaths were reported, and 20 were confirmed the year before. Even before that, the number of deaths had been on the rise. The city saw 15 deaths in 2014, 11 in 2013 and five in 2012.

So far this year, the city has seen a slight downturn in the number of overdoses. First responders were called to 32 non-fatal drug overdoses – including both opioid- and non-opioid-related – from January to March, an 11 percent decrease from 36 during the same period in 2016, according to Somerville Police Department data. From January to April, the police and fire departments responded to five deaths believed to be drug overdoses, a 50 percent decrease from 10 during the same period last year.

Somerville is tackling the opioid epidemic in three parts – primary prevention, intervention and support in recovery. On the prevention front, the city is part of a regional opioid prevention collaborative with the surrounding communities and has enacted initiatives such as Life Skills, a substance use prevention curriculum in schools recommended by Gov. Charlie Baker's Opioid Addiction Working Group.

Through the school curriculum, health teachers have begun implementing an intervention tool into general health screenings. Clinical Youth Specialist Patricia Contente said normalizing this tool as part of the overall screening helps to decrease the stigma around substance use.

According to Contente, addressing the proper use of medication is key in the overall conversation about addiction. She recommended parents look for opportunities to talk to their children about taking medication safely.

"We're not suggesting or recommending that people talk to five- or seven-year-olds about opioids or heroin," Contente said. "For example young kids take gummy vitamins; that can be when you start prevention. It's a natural opportunity to talk about something that's good for you, but it says you're only supposed to take two a day. It reinforces the importance of following prescriptions."

The city also participates in National Take Back Day twice a year. Residents are offered the opportunity to drop off unused or unwanted prescription medications at the Somerville Police Department. Contente said she saw a significant difference in attendance at the most recent Take Back Day on April 29.

"We talk to families of all ages about the importance of securing medication and cleaning out the medicine cabinet," she said.

According to Chris Wendt, senior crime analyst at the Somerville Police Department, law enforcement's policy toward drug possession has shifted. He said under Chief David Fallon, individuals are not arrested for drug possession alone. A person will be offered intervention services and sometimes be summonsed to discuss the incident with the court.

Police officers have also undergone Crisis Intervention Training, a program designed to provide immediate and effective intervention options for first responders with the aim of preventing the incarceration of those with mental health and substance use challenges.

First responders have been trained in the use of Narcan, a prescription medication that can counteract the immediate effects of an overdose, and carry it on patrol. The city invites residents to train in the use of Narcan as well.

"The department recognizes that addiction is a disease and we're not going to arrest our way out of this particular problem," Wendt said. "A big piece of that culture change has been bringing Patty [Contente] to the police department and formalizing a lot of the things that she had been doing previously around issues of jail diversion, mental health and substance abuse."

Somerville police work closely with Contente's team to identify individuals or families struggling with behavioral health issues. Officers gather contact information such as phone numbers, addresses and emails and send them to Contente in lieu of writing arrest reports.

Wendt said the key to recovery is creating a "continuum of care," which includes meetings with other people in recovery, finding an outlet such as music, art or another personal interest and establishing social supports either through a coach or another person in recovery.

Somerville routinely holds training sessions in becoming a recovery coach to serve as a mentor for people who are seeking or already in recovery. The next training course will take place June 23-30.

"We don't try to think about it as a law enforcement or criminal justice initiative. It's more of a public health initiative," Wendt said. "If we work with people who might not be criminally involved now before they're homeless and shoplifting, we can reduce the impact of the criminal justice system on people's lives."

Story originally published May 25.