Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 Source: Gloucester Daily Times (MA) Copyright: 2009 Eagle Tribune Publishing Company Contact: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/contactus/local_story_015132144.html Website: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/169 Authors: Michael Lane and Joan Whitney Note: Michael Lane is interim chief of the Gloucester Police Department; Joan Whitney, M.Ed, MSW, is director of substance abuse prevention with the Gloucester Health Department. Both are also Gloucester Steering Committee members for the Massachusetts Collaborative for Action Leadership & Learning, and are part of the Opiate Misuse and Overdose Prevention team and the Healthy Gloucester Collaborative. WE'RE ALL ON FRONT LINE IN DRUG WAR The overdose death of the 22 year-old West Gloucester resident is a tragic story. It is a life lost, a family grieving a young man who was trying to turn his life around, and a community with a strong history of caring for the health and well-being of all its members. In Massachusetts, unintentional opiate overdoses are the leading cause of accidental deaths, surpassing motor vehicle deaths. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has declared deaths resulting from unintentional opiate overdoses a major public health issue in the state and is leading the way for others across the country in the effort to save lives. A one-dimensional solution to this problem is not the answer. Apprehending and prosecuting all those who engage in the sale of heroin and other drugs is a critical goal "" but cannot be the only goal. As long as there is "demand" on the street there will be those who will sell. Police recognize the enforcement of drug laws as an important vehicle to bring addicts into the criminal justice system for purposes of rehabilitation and, if necessary, incarceration as a means to end opiate abuse. In this time of bursting prisons, budget cuts, and individual and community economic stress, the answer lies in collaborative solutions that stretch the dollar, use local expertise and are inclusive. While drug abuse is a national problem, the solutions are unique within each community. What is common to all however, is the knowledge that the "Drug War" can only be won when "demand" for drugs is drastically reduced. Law enforcement knows its best partner is prevention, and the strong partnership of the Gloucester Police Department and the Gloucester Health Department has created a multi-pronged approach implemented through the Healthy Gloucester Collaborative coalition that comprises physicians, treatment providers, pharmacists, educators, service agencies and community members dedicated to a continuum of prevention from efforts to stop "first use" to increasing treatment opportunities and preventing unintentional overdose deaths for those in need. Misusing prescription drugs is a major factor that can ultimately lead to heroin use. The shame and stigma that comes with addiction inhibit many who are addicted and their loved ones from seeking help. Resource limitations and relapses further complicate the road back from addiction. We all need to be on the frontline to prevent opiate addiction and overdose. In June, approximately 200 direct service agency personnel, law enforcement and first responders were given training to recognize the symptoms of an overdose, how to respond and to relay that information to clients and families. This is just one part of an on-going and intense community-wide effort to stem the tide of drug abuse and increase the comfort of those in need to ask for help. To support the community, training on prescription drug misuse and overdose prevention is available to all residents of Gloucester. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake