Press Release Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.3 Million to Sustain Heroin and Opioid Crime Reduction Efforts

Boston — The Baker-Polito Administration is awarding $2.3 million in a second round of competitive federal grants to help District Attorneys, Sheriffs, and other criminal justice agencies strengthen and enhance efforts to combat heroin and opioid abuse in Massachusetts, including prevention, intervention, diversion, enforcement and treatment.

“These law enforcement organizations have valuable experience in providing treatment to individuals looking to get back on their feet and work beyond their addiction,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to seeing them sustain the progress they are making in their communities, providing a powerful positive impact to those in need of recovery services.”

“I commend our District Attorneys and Sheriffs for their unwavering commitment to combatting the heroin and opioid crisis in the communities they serve,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “Their leadership and the innovative ideas and services developed through this grant funding are saving lives and changing them for the better.”    

“The professionals of these law enforcement agencies are on the front lines of the opioid epidemic,” said Secretary Dan Bennett. “They have developed innovative approaches to dealing with this crisis, and the expertise and compassion they demonstrate each day are instrumental in changing lives for those afflicted in their communities.”  

A prior funding round has enabled:

• The Department of Parole to place 26 parolees in a residential treatment program.
• A Worcester County Overdose Response Initiative and pilot in the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office allowed Narcan to be administered to 69 individuals. Their caseload of 73 individuals all received services in the aftermath of an overdose.
• A pilot drug court program at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. In February of 2016 the first court opened; by March, two more had opened, and in October 2016 a fourth court opened.
• A Juvenile Justice Coordinator at the Essex County District Attorney’s Office enhanced their Drug Diversion program which 117 young adults have entered.
• A Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Webster Resource Center partnership to provide services to 134 high risk probationers.
• The Department of Correction to add an additional 40 beds to their treatment plan, which reduced discipline reports for substance-abuse-related incidents by 22% over the past year. Treatment refusals are down 38% and the funded pilot treatment plan has resulted in 70% of graduates in stable housing one year following their release.

All proposals were required to include a law enforcement nexus and place a primary focus on targeting heroin and opioid abuse. The agencies receiving a grant award from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security under the “Heroin and Opioid Crime Reduction State Initiative” are as follows:

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