SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (WGGB/WSHM) – Mayor Domenic Sarno will join Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris for a forum on the Opioid Recovery Fund on Thursday.
This forum will play a critical role in identifying what issues are most important to Springfield and where resources should be directed to get those affected the treatment and resources they need to recover from this opioid situation.
The City of Springfield will now receive at least $7 million over the next 15 years from the Opioid Recovery Remediation Fund established by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
To decide how the city could most effectively use these funds, the Department of Health and Human Services first conducted a survey, interviewed key personnel, and set up focus groups to better understand Springfield’s specific needs.
Now they will use this forum to continue to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery system.
Mayor Sarno said, “The damage the opioid crisis has done to Springfield’s most valuable resource, our residents, is enormous and will require a herculean effort by the city, nonprofits, our community partners and stakeholders to repair it.”
Today’s meeting will take place on Thursday morning in Forest Park.
Copyright 2024. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.
