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Barnstable County Regional Substance Addiction Council (RSAC) monthly E-newsletter is a tether of communication across towns, providers, organizations, and individuals on Cape Cod providing information on substance use across the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. | |
THE INTERSECTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ADDICTION
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As decreed by presidential proclamation, January 2023 is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, also known as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. It is an important reminder of how human trafficking and sexual exploitation intersects with many other human services' focuses, including substance use.
Children's Cove and Independence House are two local organizations that provide counseling, advocacy, education, and other specialized services for children and adults who have experienced domestic and/or sexual abuse. Visit their websites to learn more.
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OVER $50,000 SOBER LIVING SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED | |
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Parents Supporting Parents (PSP) has awarded over $50,000 in sober living scholarships in 2022 to help those in their recovery journey. The PSP Memorial Scholarship program awards sober living scholarships to those wishing to continue their recovery in a safe and structured sober living home. Many of their clients continue their intensive outpatient programs while in sober living and cannot work full-time while working their program. Their sober living memorial scholarships award them the opportunity to continue to focus on their health with others seeking to do the same.
For more information visit Parents Supporting Parents at https://parentsfightingaddiction.org/.
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DADS IN RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP | |
Connect with other dads who understand what it is like to raise a child while in recovery, or while working towards recovery. Explore strengths and challenges with parenting while building a support network.
The group meets every Tuesday at 6pm via Zoom (until in-person meetings can safely be resumed).
This group is sponsored by the Coalition for Children and Cape Cod Children's Place FIRST Steps Together programs.
View the Program Flyer Here HERE >>>
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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH LAUNCHES HARM REDUCTION RESEARCH NETWORK TO PREVENT OVERDOSE FATALITIES | |
More than 107,000 people in the United States died from a drug overdose in 2021, according to provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These deaths are largely driven by the proliferation of cheap, potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl contaminating the drug supply, including in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills. | |
To address the overdose crisis in the United States, the National Institutes of Health has established a research network that will test harm reduction strategies in different community settings to inform life-saving efforts. The harm reduction research network’s efforts build on existing harm reduction research and represent the largest pool of funding from NIH to date to study harm reduction strategies to address overdose deaths. | |
SAMHSA PREVENTION DAY REGISTRATION IS OPEN! JANUARY 30TH | |
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's)19th Prevention Day is happening on Monday, January 30th, in conjunction with CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) National Leadership Forum.
The event will take place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Whether you are a prevention practitioner, community leader, researcher, teacher, school counselor, consumer, or an advocate, this interactive forum has something for everyone.
Registration for this event is now open!
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FREE PREVENTION RESOURCES FOR TEENS, PARENTS, AND SCHOOLS! | |
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Operation Prevention is a no-cost, standards-aligned program for young people ages 8 to 18, and is available for every school, home, and state to kickstart lifesaving actions today. This resource was created in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Discovery Education.
Visit the Operation Prevention website for the following resources:
- Lesson plans and classroom activities
- Self-paced educational module for teens
- Parent toolkit
- Workplace resources
- Culture-based resources (i.e. Native practices and traditions Resources)
View the Program Flyer HERE >>>
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PREVENTION TOOLS SUPPORTING THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF CANABIS | |
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The New England Chapter of the Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network is offering several substance misuse prevention tools focused on cannabis. These include the following:
- Using Social Media to Support Youth Cannabis Prevention: A Strategy Guide for Preventionists and Community Coalitions
- Mobilizing Community in Cannabis Prevention: A Prevention Guide in the Era of Legalization
- Preventing Youth Use of Cannabis: Cannabis Prevention Alternative to Suspension Program
- Restorative Practices in Prevention: Taking Relationship-based Approach to Preventing Youth Cannabis Use Through Restorative Practices
- Cannabis Conversations: A Toolkit for Communities with a Harm Reduction Lens
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BUREAU OF SUBSTANCE ADDICTION SERVICES COMPLAINT LINE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS | |
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The Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) operates a complaint line for community members to report any forms of discrimination or regulatory violations. It is the expectation of the Department of Public Health, BSAS, that licensed substance use treatment providers comply with all relevant regulations under 105 CMR 164.000: LICENSURE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
According to the regulations, all licensed providers need to have a written policy to “ensure non-discrimination and accommodation, including development and implementation of accommodations needed to ensure equitable access to services without regard for disability, race, gender, gender identity, creed, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, or ability to speak English, except as provided for in 105 CMR 164.070(B).”
The Bureau takes reports of any form of discrimination in treatment settings seriously, including towards transgender and non-binary identified patients. To file a complaint, individuals and/or providers can call the Complaint Line at 617-624-5171. This number is monitored Monday – Friday during normal business hours and messages can be left after hours. Additionally, complaints can be faxed to a secure line at 617- 887-8787 or mailed to 250 Washington St Boston, MA 02118 if the individual prefers.
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MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH GAMBLING RESOURCE | |
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Since 2016, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) has ensured a comprehensive and integrated public health approach to problem gambling by using data to inform initiatives, engage communities, and ensure culture intelligence and humility. Critical to the work of MDPH and OPGS are data, the social determinants of health, with a vision of eradicating health disparities.
This resource has information for individuals seeking services and support related to their gambling, education for community partners and organizations, and resources for service providers. The integration of gambling support within the substance use field is imperative.
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THE MASSACHUSETTS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HELP LINE IS LIVE! | |
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The Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL), which was officially launched on January 3, 2023 at 8am, connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts. These include outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. Callers receive real-time support, initial clinical assessment, and connection to the right evaluation and treatment.
The BHHL is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phone call and text at 833-773-2445 (BHHL), and online chat at masshelpline.com. To learn more, please visit the BHHL frequently asked questions by clicking the button below.
If you have additional questions or concerns about the Help Line, please contact the Help Line Director, Mio Tamanaha at Mio.Tamanaha@mass.gov.
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covid notices | resources |
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FREE COVID-19 AT-HOME TESTS AGAIN
AVAILABLE ONLINE
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The White House has announced a new limited round of free at-home COVID-19 tests for the winter. Shipping is free.
Older adults and people with disabilities who need support ordering the free at-home tests can contact the Eldercare Locator 800-677-1116 or the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL, 888-677-1199). Staff are available to assist you from 8 AM to 9 PM ET Monday through Friday. They can help you learn more about testing options, including by connecting you to accessible instructions and helping with test administration.
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Be sure to download our Cape & Islands Food Access Resource Guide! This publication is updated monthly by the Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and contains all the information you need for food accessibility.
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service directory opportunity | |
ARE YOU REPRESENTED ON OUR SERVICE DIRECTORY WEBSITE? | |
The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.
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