8 WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017
Lowell opioid workers hit the streets, saving lives
OPIOIDS/From Page 1
writes, leaving the card for the
man.
Before leaving, Newby hugs
the woman.
If he doesnt call, tell him Ill
be back, Garneau says.
The team then heads over to
South Common.
Checks out the Acre.
And then back to the High-
lands.
Their daily mission is to
locate those who have recently
overdosed the individuals
most likely to suffer a fatal one.
Theyre members of the citys
Community Opioid Outreach
Program, a collaboration
between the Lowell House addic-
tion treatment program and
police, fire and Trinity.
Every day, the COOP team
scours the city to find the people
who overdosed the night before,
and encourages them to enter
treatment and connect with
other resources. Its been a major
success for more than a year, the
members emphasized.
Theyre not aware of whats
available to them, Garneau said
about individuals suffering from
addiction. We do our best to guide
them, and let them know about
these resources, and that theres a
support system for them.
Are they saving lives? With-
out a doubt, they respond
instantly.
Were absolutely making a
difference, Jones said. Families
Kevin Garneau, a Lowell police officer, reviews overdose reports.
Amanda Newby of Trinity EMS makes a round of calls to locate
an individual, while Kevin Garneau of Lowell police reviews
overdose reports.
of addicts say were doing Gods
work.
Its all about treating our fel-
low brothers and sisters as wed
like to be treated, he added.
Were doing a good thing here in
Lowell.
Total overdoses have been
increasing in the city, but over-
dose deaths are decreasing this
year. During the first three
months of 2017, the number of
fatal overdoses in the city was
down 60 percent compared to the
same time last year.
Twenty-five people fatally
overdosed in the city during Jan-
uary, February, and March last
year. It was by far the deadliest
quarter, accounting for 40 per-
cent of the 62 deaths recorded
during 2016. During the first
FROM PAGE ONE THE SUN
quarter this year, Trinity EMS
reported 10 overdose deaths.
At the same time, there has
been an increase in non-fatal
overdoses those are up to 176
in the first quarter of 2017, from
155 in 2016.
Police have been trying to
explain this trend. Police Super-
intendent William Taylor pointed
to COOP as one explanation.
I cant say enough about the
work they do, Taylor said. They
literally save lives.
Members of the Community Opioid Outreach Program (COOP)
Im very proud that were attempt to track down those who recently overdosed. From
part of it, he added. Having a
left, Amanda Newby of Trinity EMS, Lowell Police Officer Kevin
positive impact on people not re-
Garneau of Lowell police and Kevin Jones of the Lowell Fire
overdosing.
Department talk to a family member about getting her loved
All Trinity, police, and fire
vehicles are also equipped with one help. See video at lowellsun.com. SUN PHOTOS / RICK SOBEY
Narcan, an overdose-reversing
substance abuse education, drug purity and more).
drug, so first responders are
information and support. They The card provides organiza-
likely also saving more lives, also give a card with their phone tions for treatment, such as the
Taylor said. numbers. Jillian Teves, an out- Massachusetts Bureau of Sub-
The members of COOP start reach specialist from Lowell stance Abuse Hotline, as well as
each day by reviewing police House, talks to them about Low- information on inpatient treat-
reports, looking for overdose cases ell Houses treatment program. ment including at Tewksbury
from the previous day. They then We tell them how there are State Hospital.
start making phone calls and alternatives to get them out of It lists community support,
house visits, attempting to track this rut, Jones said. such as Lowell House and Lowell
down the individuals. The resource guide informs Community Health Center.
It can be very difficult if the them to call 911 if they believe We have to keep hitting
persons phone number is old, if someone is overdosing; it every day, Garneau says, look-
they have an outdated address, explains how to recognize an opi- ing over a lengthy list of reports.
or if theyre homeless. They ate overdose (person will not Thats what we gotta do.
could also live in other communi- wake up, no response to yelling, There will be struggles, there
ties, which makes it tougher for blue lips or fingernails and will be slip-ups, but we gotta get
COOP to follow-up. more); and it tells them overdose these people help.
Once the team makes contact, risk factors (using alone, surviv- Follow Rick Sobey on Twitter
they provide a resource guide for ing a past overdose, change in @rsobeyLSun.