Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: Bedford’s Board of Health Takes a Proactive Approach

Submitted by the Bedford Board of Health

The Bedford Board of Health and community partners have been working to bring attention to the opioid issue, make the community aware that it does impact Bedford, and provide resources and trainings to help parents and community members ask sometimes difficult questions in an effort to intervene or prevent drug use and misuse.

Last summer, the Board of Health hosted an intern from the Boston University School of Public Health. She was tasked with identifying whether the identified statewide opioid epidemic exists in Bedford given that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) reports a 78% increase in unintentional opioid overdose deaths between 2000 and 2015. She researched available published data which did not support the hypothesis of the epidemic existing in Bedford. However, when she started interviewing and surveying Bedford first responders and area providers, she found that in the first 8 months of 2016, there had been 18 overdoses in Bedford; six of which were fatal opioid-related overdoses and the median age of the victims was 34 years. This represented a 3 fold increase since 2012, when only 2 fatal overdoses were reported. Bedford Fire Department first responders reported that prescription opioids, non-prescription opioids and alcohol are among the most commonly used substances in both non-fatal and fatal overdoses. Four of the fatal overdoses from 2016 share comorbidities of mental illness, history of addiction, repeat occurrences of overdose incidents and/or previous rehabilitation for substance abuse.

Given that the initial research identified that fatal overdoses are occurring in Bedford, the Board of Health engaged partners in town through the School Wellness Council and on January 19, 2017, hosted a presentation by Dr. Ruth Potee, a nationally renowned family physician who specializes in addressing the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts. Her talk centered on what Everyone Must KnowAbout Tween/Teen Brain Development and Substance Abuse. Dr. Potee’s expertise in adolescent brain development and its impact on teenage risk-taking, including alcohol and substance abuse was presented in a straightforward manner and the attendees left this event with a better understanding of how to keep the tweens and teens in their life safer, healthier and substance-free through middle and high school years. The presentation was filmed by Bedford Television and can be viewed at https://youtu.be/hGySOAwpsuo.

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Free screening in Bedford on March 17: If Only, a film by James Wahlberg and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

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To continue to address the important topic of opioid use prevention and provide tools for parents and community members to develop a proactive approach to healthy youth development and substance use prevention, the Board of Health is partnering with the Central Middlesex Police Partnership to host a free film screening and skill building discussion for parents, youth, and community members on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 6:30 pm at the Bedford High School Auditorium at 9 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA.

At the May 17th event, If Only, a film by James Wahlberg and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation about two families’ experiences with substance use will be screened. Following the 30 minute movie will be presentations by experts and advocates on this topic. Joani Geltman, MSW, a child development and parenting expert will present on how a teen’s personality style impacts their experimentation with drugs and alcohol. She’ll teach effective strategies to keep your family safe.  Melissa Weiksnar, a parent, writer, speaker, and advocate will speak about her own family’s experience with the opioid crisis. Also presenting that evening will be Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno who will provide an overview of Bedford specific substance use and abuse and the law enforcement perspective on the opioid crisis.

Parents, youth and community members are all welcome at the May 17th event. A light dinner and refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm, followed by the program. Also available to view that evening is “Hidden In Plain Sight,” a mockup of a teen bedroom featuring drug concealment items marketed to youth (for adult eyes only). The Board of Health hopes the community will come out to this event, to hear impactful stories and gain useful tools for engaging in potentially difficult conversations with those in our community impacted by opioid or substance use issues. The Board of Health is asking the community to stop saying “If Only” when it comes to the opioid crisis.

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