NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council got an update from the Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative on Tuesday. 

 

Andy Ottoson and Anna Youngman, of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, spoke about the Into the Light Project and other work being undertaken by the collaborative. 

 

"The HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Coalition, with funding from the city and from [Berkshire Health Systems], brought the Into the Light Project to our area to reduce stigma, encourage compassion, and promote dialog, inviting viewers to advocate for improved treatment access and respectful disruptions around addiction," said Youngman, North County HEAL Coalition community coordinator. 

 

The exhibit of artist illustrations and narratives of those lost to overdose, including residents of North Berkshire, was displayed at Hotel Downstreet earlier this year; partial versions of the exhibit are now being displayed in municipal buildings, including City Hall and Adams Town Hall. 

 

Youngman said about 1,000 people from seven states viewed the exhibit and that the "feedback from the project was exceptional." The exhibit is the brainchild of nonprofit's founder and artist Theresa Clower who has put on nearly two dozen installations around the country. 

 

"We extend our deepest gratitude to the local families who shared the stories of their loved ones with us throughout this project by allowing us to see the whole person, their joys, their talents, and their dreams," said Youngman. "These families have helped break down stigma and remind us that every life matters."

 

She continued that the number of outreach specialists has doubled to 12 and that the collaborative is doing a needs assessment to determine the most crucial needs and create a strategic plan for use of the opioid settlement funds. 

 

"We have a Keeping Recovery Connected Phone program that gets free phones in the hands of individuals who are in recovery or at risk of overdose," Youngman said. "This allows people to stay in touch with their supports, their service providers, and their community networks, which we know is crucial in people being able to maintain recovery. 

 

"Another project we're working on is the bolstering family networks grant that we received. This project works to bring hope and connection and practical supports to families affected by those. We know the impact goes beyond just the individual impacts of the family and the community at large."

 

The oversight and funding for Youngman's position comes from the Opioid Abatement Collaborative, which is a collaboration of eight North County municipalities, including North Adams, pooling together municipal opioid settlements funds to work together to try to address substance abuse in the area. BHS is also partner in the effort.

 

The settlement funds come from the lawsuit filed against companies and individuals involved in the nationwide opioid crisis by the state attorney general. Some 40 percent of the funds collected were distributed to Massachusetts towns and cities for treatment, recovery, prevention and education about opioid abuse. 

 

The annual Voices in Recovery event will be held this Friday on Main Street from 5 to 8 p.m. It will be focused on celebrating recovery from substance abuse and raising awareness of the pathways to recovery. It will include family friendly activities suchas music, rock climbing and face painting.