spotlight

Bourne Substance Free Coalition Hosts Sticker Shock Event

On Saturday May 7^th members of the Bourne Substance Free Coalition, parents, and student volunteers spent their morning visiting liquor stores and placing educational stickers on paper shopping bags. Twenty volunteers visited six Bourne liquor stores and stickered tens of thousands of bags. The stickers had the following message on them: “If partying is a must…designate a driver that you trust!” which encourages securing a designated driver when someone has been drinking. The event was a huge success and a simple way to get this important information out into the community.

If you are interested in organizing a similar event in your town, email Kate Lena at kate.lena@barnstablecounty.org for more information. 

local

In Person Opioid Overdose Prevention, Response, and Narcan Training for Falmouth Residents-May 16, 2022

In collaboration with Falmouth Human Services and Falmouth Substance Use Commission, the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod is facilitating an in-person Opioid Overdose Prevention, Response, and Narcan training on May 16th at the Gus Canty Community Center in Falmouth at 6pm. Pick up a free Narcan kit and get trained on how to use it. For more information, reach out to Eliza Morrison at emorrison@asgcc.org or 508-778-1954. 

Cape Cod Al-Anon Meetings 

The Al-Anon and Alateen program of recovery is for people whose lives have been impacted by someone else’s substance use. The program is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions as adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). By sharing common experiences, strength, and courage, the group offers hope to each other. There are many Al-Anon meetings throughout Cape Cod from the bridges to Provincetown to the islands. Check out their website for more information and to find a meeting close to you. 

Sandwich Substance Use Disorder Meeting and Solution-Focused Community Conversation-May 25, 2022

The Sandwich community is invited to an informal meeting to discuss substance use disorders and overdose deaths on Wednesday, May 25 from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Sandwich Library Community Room at 142 Main Street. The purpose of this meeting is to hear local concerns related to opioid use and substance use disorders and to discuss community efforts to address these issues, including the possible formation of a coalition. All members of the community are invited to join this solution-focused discussion, including parents, youth, people with lived experience, town leaders, and representatives from various sectors within the community. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

For more information, email Erin Ralston at ecralston@chcofcapecod.org. 

The Centerville Public Library is Hosting an Event on Cape Cod Substance Use Prevention-May 26, 2022

Join us at the Centerville Public Library on Thursday May 26^th at 5:30pm for a program on Substance Use Prevention on Cape Cod. Speakers from Barnstable County Human Services, Calmer Choice, and FIRST (Families in Recovery Support) Steps Together will speak about local resources, give tips for parents and youth, and answer questions from audience members on substance use prevention. 

state

BSAS Waiver for Application and Licensing Fee for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC) 

In recognition of the continuing workforce challenges facing the substance use disorder treatment system, and in order to assist with supporting and developing this workforce, the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) is issuing a waiver for the required application and licensing fee for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC). Please see attached PDF and Word copies of the memorandum regarding this waiver. The fee will be waived effective May 9, 2022, for both new and renewal LADC applications, including all levels of licensure.

If you have any questions associated with the fee waiver or LADC licensing requirements,

please contact Ian Bain, LADC Coordinator, at Ian.Bain@mass.gov

Join us! MOAR Virtual Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Town Hall Meetings-  May 12, 2022

The Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR) would like to extend an invitation to the recovery community and its providers to come to MOAR’s Annual Statewide Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Town Hall Meeting. This meeting will take place via Zoom, and will feature a special performance by stars from the “Let’s Give It Up Foundation”, a new foundation for the arts. This event will take place via Zoom on Thursday May 12th from 4:45pm to 8:00pm. Reach out to Noel Sierra to RSVP and for the Zoom link: noel@moar-recovery.org.

national

Boots on the Ground Conference Addresses Disparities in Substance Use Disorder Faced By African Americans-May 13, 2022

Boots on the Ground will, through a Black community lens, explore the power of innovative, community-based approaches to help people with opioid use disorder. The conference will showcase community programs from across the country, each designed to counteract the stigma and racial disparities that so often keep members of communities of color from receiving equitable access to substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction and recovery services. Speakers will share the stories of their programs, highlighting factors that both enable and challenge their program successes, including funding, partners, and evaluation. Dr. Corrie Vilsaint, who has been a member and involved with the RSAC for many years, will be presenting on some of her important recovery-related research. This conference takes place Friday, May 13th from 8:30am to 4:00pm.

Register at the link here: https://twincities.vcnf.org/register/

HHS Announces $55 Million Funding Opportunity for Latest Iteration of its Tribal Opioid Response Grant Program

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is announcing $55 million in funding for its Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grant program. “The TOR program ensures this country’s Native American communities get connected to effective, culturally relevant treatment and recovery support services,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. The TOR grant program addresses the overdose crisis in tribal communities by increasing access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, and supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services for opioid use disorder, stimulant misuse and use disorders and co-occurring substance use disorders. See SAMSHA’s website for more information. 

National Minority Health Month!

April was National Minority Health Month (NMHM) and began a renewed effort to raise awareness about the health disparities and inequities that continue to impact people from racial and ethnic minority populations and encourage action through education, early detection, and control of disease complications. NMHM builds awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups. For information about how to observe NMHM, including accessing the social media toolkit, ideas for activities and other resources, please click here to learn more about NMHM. 

covid notices | resources

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.

Asking for help is the first important step and there are resources out there that can support you no matter where you are in your journey with substances. If you want to talk with an Information and Referral Specialist now, call 800-327-5050 or 617-292-5065 or view our Cape Cod Substance Use Resource Guide.

The Cape Cod COVID-19 Response Task Force has collected helpful wellness resources for you during COVID-19. Please check back regularly as we add to these resources. Each month we will highlight tools to help manage this crisis and identify for you web videos, articles, discussions, and resources we have found helpful. These tools apply to those of all ages, children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and elders.

COVID-19 can be difficult for all of us but especially for those in recovery. This might be exacerbated by people unable to attend their normal support group meetings or other recovery supports. Please click on resources button to find local and nationwide resources related to substance use disorder and mental health. You can also call the MA Substance Use Helpline anytime at 800-327-5050.

service directory opportunity

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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