$350,000 in state funding will be used to establish the Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline
BOSTON - $350,000 in state funding will be used to establish the Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline, a resource officials say will be the first hotline of its kind funded by a state government in the country.
Governor Maura Healey announced the expansion of the initiative, which is a partnership between Boston Medical Center and RIZE Massachusetts. Since the helpline began in 2020, operators have remained on the line with people who are using and have contacted first responders if the caller is unresponsive.
With the investment, the program will be able to hire additional paid staff members while also promoting the service’s benefits.
State officials reported that overdose fatalities in Massachusetts reached an all-time high last year, as 2,357 deaths due to overdoses were reported.
The Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline can be reached at 800-972-0590. More details can be found on their website.
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State Senate President Karen Spilka joined the city’s four state representatives virtually on Tuesday for their annual meeting with local legislators.
This week on The Frame: a variety of concerns are raised regarding the planned closure of Framingham Union Hospital’s special care nursery, the City Council is set to hear about seven projects recommended to receive money through the Community Preservation Act, and a spotlight on a pair of recent local events: the Hands Off rally and a celebration of the local Fire Department’s history.
Tenet Healthcare is planning on reducing the maternity ward at MetroWest Medical Center. Local politicians, nurses, and residents raised a plethora of concerns during a public hearing at the Memorial Building.
