NH Opioid Crisis: Nashua Program Helps 1,000+

NASHUA, NH — For a year and counting, a New Hampshire program has offered hope to those struggling with opioid abuse. "Safe Stations," which was started in Manchester in 2016 and expanded to Nashua, has served more than 3,600 individuals. The program allows anyone seeking opioid abuse help to walk into any city fire station and get connected with recovery help without the fear of arrest. Officials this month celebrated its one-year anniversary in Nashua, where it has served 1,000 people and counting.

“The Safe Stations initiative connects people suffering from addiction to the programs and tools they need to get back on track towards the path to recovery,” U.S. Representative Ann Kuster said in a statement. “This innovative program should serve as a model for communities across the country struggling with the opioid epidemic."

Indeed, President Trump cited Safe Stations last month in a landmark speech declaring opioid abuse a national public health emergency. Manchester fire Chief Dan Goonan started the Safe Station program last year.

"We are inspired by the stories of everyday heroes who pull their communities from the depths of despair, through leadership and through love," Trump said during his White House speech. "Fire chief Dan Goonan of New Hampshire, great state, runs a program, Safe Station, which allows drug-dependent residents to seek help at fire stations at any time ... I am calling on every American to join the ranks of guardian angels like Chief Goonan ... who help lift up the people of our great nation."

In Nashua, here is how Safe Stations works:

• "Any person seeking treatment and recovery will be able to enter a Nashua fire station where trained firefighters will connect him or her with help. AMR and Harbor Homes will immediately respond to each report.
• If there is no medical need for transportation to the emergency room, Harbor Homes will transport the person seeking help to the Maple Street shelter or to the Harbor Homes complex on High Street. If necessary, medical detox will be available.
• The person seeking help will be cared for while Harbor Homes professionals find an opening in an appropriate recovery program or facility."

These are the Nashua Safe Stations locations:

• Nashua fire station - 15 Amherst Street
• Nashua fire station - 177 Lake Street
• Nashua fire station - 124 Spit Brook Road
• Nashua fire station - 70 East Hollis Street
• Nashua fire station - 101 Pine Hill Road
• Nashua fire station - 2 Conant Road
• Nashua fire station - 38 Lake Street
• Harbor Homes - 45 High Street
• American Medical Response - 380 West Hollis Street

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Opioid Crisis: 'Safe Station' Helps 3,600+ In NH

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Photo: Madisen Peterson, of Farmington, New Hampshire, enters Serenity Place, a drug and alcohol recovery organization, in Manchester on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Peterson, a heroin user who has been clean for over four months, decided last year to change his life by taking advantage of the Safe Station program by visiting at Manchester fire station, which helped place him in recovery at Serenity Place. Peterson now volunteers at Serenity Place, helping to aid drug users entering the program. (Credit: Charles Krupa/Associated Press)