Dealing With Opioids in Our Community

About Opioids

Opioids include common pain medications (e.g., Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, etc.) and illegal drugs (e.g., Heroin), which are often abused and have become significant problems nationally, as well as in our own community.

In the state of Massachusetts, two people die each day from an accidental opioid overdose.

Community Education

The City of Lowell along with surrounding communities works to educate the community as a whole on the risks and dangers of opioid overdoses, and to prevent opioid abuse through a range of outreach and educational programs. This broad community initiative is led by the Lowell Health Department and includes active participation of local health departments, police departments, health-care organizations, non-profit organizations and educational institutions.

General Resources

• Drug Free Greater Lowell, is a website of the Massachusetts Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative, which includes Lowell, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Westford and Wilmington.
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Facts - Review this handout created by the City of Lowell Health Department.
• Get the Facts About Pain Medications - Review this handout created by the City of Lowell Health Department.
• Prescription and Over the Counter Drug Guide (PDF) - Review this parent's guide to the legal drugs kids are using and abusing from the Partnership at DrugFree.org
• Dig Deeper: PublicHealth.org provides this listing of free online resources including open-access journals, research and professional organizations, and open courseware, as well as links to public awareness organizations.

Substance Abuse Resources

Do you or a loved one need help with substance abuse? Visit one of the following links to find the correct support for you and/or your family.

• Learn To Cope - A support group for parents and family members dealing with a loved one addicted to heroin, Oxycontin and other drugs. 24/7 help.
  • Find local meetings in Lowell and Tewksbury.
• Help Line Online - The Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline provides free and confidential information and referrals for alcohol and other drug abuse problems and related concerns. Services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Language interpreters are always available.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - SAMSA was established by Congress to make substance use and mental disorder information, services and research more accessible. Their website provides extensive information, including listings of national helplines and treatment locators.
• Turn To Help - Information about opioid dependence, benefits of treatment, and treatment options. This site has a treatment locator.
• Massachusetts Al-Anon and Alateen - The primary purpose of Al-Anon/Alateen is to help families and friends of alcoholics. Alateen is part of Al-Anon and is for young people affected by another's drinking.
  • Meetings are open to the public, and run daily throughout the week. To locate a meeting near you, visit the Find A Meeting website.
  • Al-Anon Family Groups are focused on strength and hope for friends and families.
• Narcotics Anonymous is for any addict seeking recovery, based on the AA model.
  • Search for meetings in Massachusetts
  • You can also search for meetings at the New England Region of Narcotics Anonymous website.
• The Alcoholics Anonymous Central Service Committee of Eastern Mass coordinates the work of AA in Eastern MA. Their primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
  • Search for an AA meeting
  • DrugStrategies also publishes a comprehensive list of AA meetings in Massachusetts by city.
• Lowell House Inc. - A private, non-profit agency providing comprehensive outpatient and residential addiction services.
• Northeast Behavioural Health - Lahey Health Behavioral Services provides a range of outpatient, inpatient and residential care, including counseling clinics, addiction treatment, family services, mobile crisis teams, and school-based programs for children and teens.
• Habit OPCO - Habit OPCO is a healthcare organization with significant experience and success in treating opiate addiction.
• For Providers: Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse Services - Search a directory of Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) Funded and Licensed programs This directory is intended for providers that need an up-to-date listing of programs and contacts.

Questions

Please feel free to contact the Health Department directly at 978-674-4304, so that we may answer any comments, questions, or concerns you may have.