Page 31 - BusinessWest November 11, 2024

ed overdose death rate decreased by 10% to 30.2 per 100,000 people compared to 33.5 in 2022.
“While we are encouraged by the overall decrease in overdose deaths, this report also is a reminder of the work that we still need to do to bring deaths down for all people and all areas of the state,” Gov. Maura Healey said when the report was released late in the spring. “Our administration remains committed to pri- oritizing prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts to address the overdose crisis that continues to claim too many lives and devastate too many families in Massachusetts.”
Preliminary data from the first three months of 2024 indicat- ed a continued decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in Mas- sachusetts, showing 507 confirmed and estimated deaths, a 9% drop compared to estimates from the same time last year.
“It is heartening to see this significant decrease in fatal over- doses — a direct result of the ongoing hard work in our com- munities to reach those struggling with substance-use disorder,” said Dr. Robbie Goldstein, Department of Public Health com- missioner. “To sustain these hard-won gains, we must focus even more deeply on the populations that have not yet seen such dra- matic improvements. This means doubling outreach efforts in communities of color, particularly for Black residents, and people living in our most rural communities, who, as the data show, are most disproportionately impacted by overdose deaths.”
DiRosa posed one reason why overdose death rates are still high in Holyoke, while cities like Brockton, Lawrence, and Pitts- field saw declines, and it has to do with accessibility and cost.
“In a lot of the outreach that we do in the community, we’ve noticed the drop in the cost of the drugs. Back maybe five, seven years ago, where one bag of heroin would cost $10 or $15, it’s now going for $3 to $5. So it’s keeping people actively using these substances longer and not seeking treatment.”
When they do seek help, addicts have treatment options. MiraVista’s Intensive Outpatient Program is an enhanced level of care for individuals who need more intensive support for their recovery from addiction and want to remain in the community, while the Opioid Treatment Program (which includes the metha- done dosing) offers a continuum of outpatient services, including
individualized medication management, comprehensive addic- tion assessments, individual and group counseling, case manage- ment, referral support, harm-reduction education, and more.
“We’re bringing education into the community that we’re here, and we’re going to be able to care for the patients when they’re ready to come through our doors,” said Lauren Temple, director of Clinical Services, adding that prompt appointments are a big part of that. “We’re going to get you a same-day appointment as quick as we can. We don’t want you to wait.”
One Step at a Time
“Every overdose death is tragic, preventable, and unaccept- able,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh said when the state’s report was issued earlier this year. “While we are proud and encouraged that fewer Massachusetts residents were lost to overdose last year, we know that inequities persist, and our work is not done. Our understanding of where gaps in treatment and services occur, and the people who we are not yet reaching, drives our work and helps focus our efforts.”
Those thoughts dovetail well with MiraVista’s efforts in Great- er Holyoke.
“We try to stay with our clients moving forward. We check up on them on a regular basis,” DiRosa said. “Sometimes our cli- ents might need that extra phone call; they might need extra sup- port. We want them to take pride in their recovery, but also help them see that we do care.”
Like DiRosa, much of Miravista’s outpatient-services team have lived experience with these challenges, Lee added.
“So they’re approaching our clients and our patients with either their own personal experience or their own personal knowledge of the disease of addiction and how important it is for people who are starting their pathway to recovery to know that they’re not alone,” she added. “We are here to walk with them, whether it’s the first step they’re taking or the 100th step. There are people here who understand and who can appreciate the journey. They’re not alone.” BW
“They’re approaching our clients and our patients with either their own personal experience or
their own personal knowledge of the disease of addiction and how important it is for people who are starting their pathway to recovery to know that they’re not alone.”
KIMBERLEY LEE
BusinessWest
MONTHLYFEATURE
NOVEMBER 11, 2024 31