Chris Herren to speak in Medway - Dec 11

Via the SAFE Coalition:

"Medway area parents and guardians are invited to hear former Celtics player Chris Herren of Fall River, who will share his inspirational - and painful - journey back from addiction to alcohol and drugs in the hopes of preventing others from making the same mistakes.

Back by popular demand, Herren's parent program has proven to be inspiring and powerful to Medway area parents and guardians. His tale of descent into addiction and a miraculous recovery is as powerful as his new life's mission: to share his story with audiences in the hopes of reaching at least one person and making a difference in their life.

At Medway High during school hours, students will watch a moving video chronicling the pro athlete's rise to fame and subsequent fall to substance abuse, and participate in an engaging talkback with Herren to share their views. This evening program is geared toward parents to explore the same topic. One objective of Mr. Herren's presentation is to have students not to begin using substances and how easily substance use can escalate. In this parent talk, he inspires while presenting the negative impact of drug and alcohol use, the reality of addiction, and how some students engage in self-injurious behaviors.

Parents will also be moved by this discussion on what we can do to help our teens be true to themselves and resist the need to turn to dangerous and destructive behaviors, and ways to support those who may be facing personal challenges.

The negative effects that drug and alcohol use can have on an individual and their loved ones is an important responsibility that we share with our families and the community. Please attend this free event and help spread the word.

For more information or resources, visit www.theherrenproject.org or see your child’s guidance counselor.

To reserve a seat, visit http://bit.ly/HerrenMedway.

This event is a collaborative effort funded by the Medway Foundation for Education, Medway Secondary PTO and Medway THRIVE"

Chris Herren tells the story behind August 1, 2008
when he spoke at FHS in Feb 2016

“The garden welcomes everyone”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Victoria Almeida knew she wanted a dedicated spot for her grandson, Tristan, to pay his respects to his dad whenever he felt the need. 

Ryan Trant, Tristan’s father, was 24 when he died in September 2017 after accidentally overdosing on fentanyl - an opioid known to be 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. 

“Ryan was cremated, so I didn’t have a place,” Almeida said. 

After months of fundraising and working with the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston and Trant’s girlfriend, Mikaela DeMaria, Almeida was able to make that wish a reality."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181110/holliston-butterfly-garden-dedicated-to-overdose-victims

https://www.facebook.com/ryansbutterflygarden/

Myfm 101.3 interview with Victoria Almeida
http://www.myfm1013.com/news/family-honors-sons-memory-with-butterly-garden-in-holliston-myfm-audio?

SAFE Coalition Community Event - Oct 17, 2018

via Twitter, we share this news from the Safe Coalition:

"The SAFE Coalition Community Leaders event was a huge success! The evening brought together key stakeholder partners from the 8 communities that we serve. Michael Bottecelli, Exec Director at the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine, was the keynote speaker. 

At the Community Leaders event Mandy Lerner courageously told her recovery story and illustrated how the collaboration between SAFE and Franklin Police department worked to open the pathway to recovery."

Michael Bottecelli, Exec Director at the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine, was the keynote speaker

Mandy Lerner courageously told her recovery story

For more about the SAFE Coalition, visit their page
http://www.safecoalitionma.org/

The information was shared from the SAFE Coalition tweets:
https://twitter.com/SafeCoalitionMA/status/1054147580853215233

https://twitter.com/SafeCoalitionMA/status/1054146537801031680

SAFE Community Forum - Weds, Oct 3 - 7:00 PM

Join the Safe Coalition on Wednesday, Oct 3 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. You can hear Shared Recovery Stories, Grandparents Role in Recovery from SUD, Outreach Talks on Alcoholism, Recovery News, and Upcoming Community Events,

SAFE Community Forum - Weds,Oct 3  7:00 PM

For more about the SAFE Coalition, visit their web page    http://www.safecoalitionma.org/

Macklemore in Pawtucket This Saturday! - "Recovery Fest 2018"

Tickets starting at just $23! Buy Tickets The Above the Noise Foundation is a New England based not for profit organization that hosts drug-and-alcohol-free music festivals that inspire, empower, and provide funding to U.S. cities battling the national addiction epidemic. This inaugural "Recovery Fest 2018" features national recording star Macklemore appearing at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. .

If the link on the button doesn't work, for tickets use this
https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Team.asp?SponsorID=11938#.W4gUmSRKivF&utm_source=ZohoCampaigns&utm_campaign=Concert+9.26_2018-09-24_1&utm_medium=email

McCoy Stadium: Recovery Fest 2018 - September 29

Macklemore, Fitz and the Tantrums, and PVRIS will headline a special recovery month celebration at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on September 29 thanks to our partner The Above The Noise Foundation. From civic action to pop music, recovery can and must be everywhere. Telling our stories, sharing our experiences, and supporting recovery organizations on the front lines are the most powerful things we can do. At this special event, you'll be able to register as a recovery voter. Network with other people in recovery and our allies, recovery community organizations, prevention organizations, family support groups, and many others.  Many of the partners in the Facing Addiction with NCADD network will be there with resources and materials for people who want to get involved in turning the tide on the addiction crisis. Facing Addiction with NCADD is so proud to be a part of Recovery Fest 2018, sponsored by Above The Noise Foundation and Center for Open Recovery. https://recoveryfest2018.com/ Donate Now Facing Addiction with NCADD is a national non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the voice of the more than 45 million Americans and their families directly impacted by addiction. FacingAddiction.org | info@facingaddiction.org 100 Mill Plain Road, 3rd Floor Danbury, CT 06811

In the News: Washington St road construction; some progress in opioid law suits

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"As part of a long-term maintenance program at the Department of Public Works, a number of streets will be reduced to one lane for about a month. 

Department of Public Works Director Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi said the work that will cause the most traffic will be on Washington Street during the next couple of weeks. 

The streets up for renovation will undergo a mill and overlay, meaning that that top layer of pavement is ripped off and replaced. This method saves time and money, according to Cantoreggi."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180905/franklin-road-work-could-cause-delays

The DPW road work plan was shared earlier this week
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/franklin-dpw-road-construction-alerts.html

Franklin DPW: Road Construction Alerts!

"A company whose prescription opioid marketing practices are being blamed for sparking the addiction and overdose crisis says it’s helping to fund an effort to make a lower-cost overdose antidote. 

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma announced Wednesday that it’s making a $3.4 million grant to Harm Reduction Therapeutics, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit, to help develop a low-cost naloxone nasal spray. 

The announcement comes as lawsuits from local governments blaming Purdue, based in Stamford, Connecticut, and other companies in the drug industry for using deceptive marketing practices to encourage heavy prescribing of the powerful and addictive painkillers. Last week, the number of lawsuits against the industry being overseen by a federal judge topped 1,000. 

The Cleveland-based judge, Dan Polster, is pushing the industry to settle with the plaintiffs — mostly local governments and Native American tribes — and with state governments, most of which have sued in state court or are conducting a joint investigation. Hundreds of other local governments are also suing in state courts across the country."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180905/major-opioid-maker-to-pay-for-overdose-antidote-development

Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31

"Please join the Regional Substance Navigation Program in showing support for those who have passed or survived an overdose.

We will have a tree of life where you can share messages to your loved ones. Also we are hoping to set off Chinese lanterns at the end of the evening.

We ask that you share a framed picture of your loved one who has passed due to an overdose.

Please join our efforts to ending the stigma. We can share stories of struggle and hope so people know they are NOT alone."

4 PM - 7 PM
12 Main St, Milford, Massachusetts 01757

Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31

For updates, follow the event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/2060870580614168/

Franklin Almanac - Episode 11 (video)

Catching up to post the Franklin Almanac - Episode 11 (video). Polikseni has moved on to a regular weekend position with a TV station in Vermont.


Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 11 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

Introduction- 00:00-00:40
St.Rocco's Festival- 00:41-6:25
#2069 Opioid crisis- 6:26-16:35
Thomas Angelo, Athletic Director- 16:36-25:13
Final Thoughts- 25:14-26:37

https://youtu.be/sQWmK4VklCs



Just what is #2069?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/just-what-is-2069.html

The SAFE Coalition provides support for individuals and family and friends of those suffering from substance abuse.  http://www.safecoalitionma.org/

Franklin Almanac - Episode 11 (video) 

“It’s an important public health measure”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"To understand the chilling, public health effects of the opioid crisis in Massachusetts, look no further than Middlesex County. 

The county includes some of the cities and towns in the Daily News coverage area, and had the highest number of opioid-related overdose deaths (346) in the state last year. 

“The number of people dying unintentionally from opioid-related overdoses is clearly at the top of the list (in the opioid crisis),” said Dr. Dennis Dimitri, chairman of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Opioid Task Force. 

He believes the state is pumping significant resources into treatment and public education campaigns to warn residents about the dangers of opioids."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180720/opioid-crisis-it-takes-village-to-conquer-it

What isn't explicitly covered in the article is the rise of support groups like the SAFE Coalition. They provide a number of services including a hotline and a resource manual.

http://www.safecoalitionma.org/2017/01/05/safe-resource-manual/

SAFE Coalition - resource manual "What do we do now?"

You can help the Butterfly Garden for Ryan and any lost to substance abuse

"My name is Mikaela DeMaria and my boyfriend Ryan Trant lost his battle with addiction September 13, 2017.  

He left behind his mother, three siblings, our son and many other family members and friends. We, together with Fatima Shrine in Holliston, are creating a Butterfly Garden of Remembrance in Ryan’s memory along with all those who have been lost to substance abuse.  

We would like to get the word out to as many local families who have been affected as possible, especially Franklin as Ryan lived in town for about ten years and his twin brother still resides there.  

Below is the link to the article I had asked about sharing and also the link to the garden’s Facebook page. Thank you for all your help!"

Milford Patch article
https://patch.com/massachusetts/milford-ma/quiet-place-heal-reflect

The Facebook page for the Butterfly Garden
https://www.facebook.com/ryansbutterflygarden

There is an email set up for any questions (including how to donate to this cause)
ryansbutterflygarden@gmail.com

Butterfly Garden of Remembrance

"this is an opportunity to play offense rather than playing defense on this crisis"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"From the Berkshires to the Cape, cities and towns across Massachusetts are taking legal action against the makers of opioid drugs, joining a broad effort to hold them responsible for the ravages of opioid abuse. 

About one-third of all communities in the state have announced plans to sue pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, alleging the companies recklessly promoted painkillers while discounting the threat of long-term addiction they pose. 

Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey is also taking drug companies to court. In a lawsuit filed June 12, Healey accused Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin and other opioid drugs, of misleading prescribers and consumers about the risks of its products, contributing to the deaths of more than 670 Massachusetts residents who were prescribed Purdue drugs since 2009."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180701/massachusetts-communities-taking-drug-makers-to-court

Franklin's Town Council met in Executive Session on June 20, 2018 to discuss joining this law suit. As the discussion was held in 'executive session', we'll find out in a future agenda when either the Council will get a new item to discuss in open session or at some point the minutes of the executive session will be voted on to be released for public viewing. With two members of the Council as members of the SAFE Coalition (Casey and Dellorco), it is likely Franklin will take some action on this topic.

June 20 agenda
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/june-20-town-council-agenda

June 20 Action Taken
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_june_20_2018.pdf

Visit the SAFE Coalition webpage

Hidden in Plain Sight (video)

Here is an incredible Hidden in Plain Site video tour produced by Franklin High School Students media students. They did a tremendous job! @jeffroy @FranklinMatters https://t.co/ZGtHJIkGUz

— S.A.F.E Coalition (@SafeCoalitionMA) June 18, 2018

For more about resources to help with substance abuse, visit the Safe Coalition
http://www.safecoalitionma.org/

‘End of the Line – How it Starts.” - May 24

The SAFE Coalition, with sponsorship by the Rotary Club of Foxboro and Infinity Family Care, PC of Mansfield, is pleased to present a play entitled ‘End of the Line – How it Starts.” The program is intended to help our community bring addiction into the light and to talk about it.

Improbable Players will perform “End of the Line - How it starts,” a short play followed by a talkback and Q& and A. Based on true stories, the play is performed by actors in long-term recovery. Through education and reducing stigma, their mission is to stop addiction before it starts and help end the opioid epidemic. The show is appropriate for anyone 6th grade and up.

When: Thursday, May 24th at 7:00 PM
Where: Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center (Formerly The Orpheum Theatre), 1 School Street, Foxboro, MA
Tickets: This event is FREE and open to the public
Reserve your seat at: www.facebook.com/SAFECoalitionMA

‘End of the Line – How it Starts.” - May 24

SAFE is a regional coalition of community partners in Western Norfolk County who have come together to provide a pathway for support, education, treatment options and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance abuse disorder. We do so by empowering those affected, including their families, with the tools necessary to succeed on their journey to recovery. We understand that while I can’t, we can!   http://www.safecoalitionma.org/

In the News: drumming around the world; opioid crisis reaches milestone

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Presented by the Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek expanded its partnership with Music Drives Us to provide grants for events during its 2018 festival (April 27 – May 6). 

A Franklin resident, Lydia Lucas, received a $500 performance grant to support the presentation of the event, Drumming Around the World, during ArtWeek. The event will take place on Saturday, May 5 from 2-3 p.m. at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, 201 Main St., Franklin. 

Through this hands-on musical experience, Drumming Around the World focuses on exploring different cultures and their musical styles through the art of drumming. Participants will learn elementary to intermediate rhythms by ear, participate in drum circles, practice improvisation skills, and learn the history of hand drumming."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180501/franklin-resident-awarded-grant-for-artweek-event

"The U.S. opioid crisis has passed a dubious milestone: Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl have surpassed deaths involving prescription opioids. 

This change occurred in 2016, according to data published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. And it seemed to happen pretty suddenly. 

Data from the National Vital Statistics System show that there were 42,249 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016. That includes 19,413 that involved synthetic opioids, 17,087 that involved prescription opioids and 15,469 that involved heroin. (In some cases, more than one type of drug was implicated in the death.)"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180501/us-opioid-crisis-passes-this-disturbing-milestone

"lawmakers facing intense pressure from the pharmaceutical industry"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Bills introduced in at least 15 states would impose taxes or fees on prescription painkillers. Several of the measures have bipartisan support and would funnel millions of dollars toward treatment and prevention programs. 

In Montana, state Sen. Roger Webb, a Republican, sees the approach as a way to hold drugmakers accountable for an overdose epidemic that in 2016 claimed 42,000 lives in the U.S., a record. 

“You’re creating the problem,” he said. “You’re going to fix it.” 

Opioids include prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin as well as illegal drugs such as heroin and illicit versions of fentanyl. Public health experts say the crisis started because of overprescribing and aggressive marketing of the drugs that began in the 1990s. The death toll has continued to rise even as prescribing has started to drop."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180428/states-force-opioid-makers-to-pay-for-addiction-epidemic

Tri-County Regional Presents Cory’s Cause to the Senior Class

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School recently presented Cory’s Cause to the senior class. Cory Palazzi, of Taunton, is permanently disabled after suffering a brain injury caused by a heroin overdose which resulted after first becoming addicted to prescription opioids from an athletic injury. Cory now struggles to walk and has to use a wheelchair at times. He is legally blind, his speech is slow and he has trouble controlling certain muscles which makes him unable to do simple everyday tasks without help.

The presentation was given to seniors as a part of the Positive Attitudes for Work Success (PAWS) program. PAWS prepares students for commitment to productive citizenship, gainful employment, personal responsibility and the setting of high standards of achievement in both vocational and academic courses. Seniors participate in a monthly seminar to address topics of concern in their transition from high school to college, career and/or military. All students are required to participate in the PAWS Program.

During the presentation, seniors were fixated on Cory and listened as he talked about his experiences with drugs. His presence was very compelling and made the result of drug use and overdose very real. At the end of the presentation, many students asked Cory questions and were emotional over what they had seen and heard. Students also had the opportunity to shake his hand and thank him for his courage to share his story.

Tri-County Regional Presents Cory’s Cause to the Senior Class

“Tri-County is committed to making sure our students are well informed of the Opioid Crisis in today’s society,” said Michelle Tilden, Senior PAWS Advisor for Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. “This has been a great opportunity for our seniors to hear the real-life story of someone whose life has been totally changed due to opioid addiction. We hope it has been a valuable life-learning experience for them and, as Cory says, that at least one life has been impacted by his presentation.”

Massachusetts, as is our whole country, is in an opioid epidemic. Athletes in particular, due to their risk of injury and the resulting pain, may be at risk for misusing prescription opioids. Representative Jeffrey Roy, a member of the S.A.F.E. Coalition attended the assembly. Mr. Roy currently serves on the Board of Advisors. S.A.F.E. is a coalition of community partners who have come together to provide support, education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance abuse disorder.

Cory and his family have taken their experience and he, his mother Lori Palazzi and stepfather Dave Gonsalves now speak at schools about the dangers of drug usage and offer a message of hope for those faced with addiction. In an effort to help those who are dealing with the challenges the family once faced, they have formed the Cory’s Cause Foundation. Their goal is to help educate people about addiction and overdose, and to remove the stigma through sharing Cory’s story with the hope that other families won’t have to endure the pain that they’ve suffered. For more information on Cory’s Cause and to learn more about his story visit www.coryscause.com.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

"there’s still far too many people dealing with this horrible addiction"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The number of opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts fell an estimated 8.3 percent from 2016 to 2017, marking the first year-over-year decline in several years, the Department of Public Health announced Wednesday. 

A total of 1,977 people died of suspected or confirmed opioid overdoses in 2017, accounting for 178 fewer deaths than the 2,155 logged the previous year. From 2015 to 2016, the opioid overdose death rate increased 22 percent. 

“It is a promising trend that for the first time last year we saw overdose deaths actually decrease,” Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said in a statement. “Today’s report is a welcome development, however, there is so much more work to do to increase access to treatment - particularly for individuals who are Hispanic.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180214/interactive-opioid-overdose-deaths-dropped-83-percent-in-2017

The work of the SAFE Coalition has helped address this serious epidemic. The support can start with a call to the resource support hotline. If you or someone you know needs help for substance use disorder, please call. (Note: this is for for emergencies, for emergencies call 911) 

SAFE Coalition hotline

"It's all about the money"

"How are drug trafficking organizations getting record amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil into Manchester, New Hampshire, the epicenter of the opioid crisis in New England? Two journalists—equipped with two DSLR cameras, 8 GoPros and a laptop—embark on a 1,700-mile journey to find out.

"Beyond the Border: The Opioid Pipeline" takes you on an exclusive, eye-opening, front lines ride through the pipeline that runs from the shores of the Dominican Republic, through Puerto Rico, up the East Coast and into New Hampshire. With the United States focused on securing its southern border, more traffickers are going through America’s “back door” to get their drugs on the streets where demand is the highest. 

Celine McArthur and Freddy Wheeler find out why the Caribbean Corridor is appealing for traffickers. They also show you some of the methods traffickers use to pump their drugs through the pipeline without getting caught—at least, not often. 

Watch and learn from the people who know what’s really going on: A Dominican drug smuggler, a Puerto Rican woman smoking crack on an inner-city street overrun by drugs, an addicted mother who deals out of her New Hampshire home, a 21-year-old Manchester dealer sitting behind bars for a fourth time, admitting he has no idea what he’s selling. 

"Beyond the Border: The Opioid Pipeline" also gives you an inside look at how first responders and local, state, federal and international law enforcement are taking action against the multibillion-dollar narco-industry on land, by sea and in the air. 

The story behind the story: Celine McArthur and Freddy Wheeler were mapping out the special when their television station in Boston unexpectedly shut down. Because the issue is so important to the region, they decided to produce the special on their own time, using their own equipment."

Beyond the Border: The Opioid Pipeline from Freddy Wheeler on Vimeo.

Hat tip to the SAFE Coalition and Patrick Casey for letting us know about this video  https://www.facebook.com/safecoalitionma/posts/1193272637469607

http://safecoalitionma.com/

FREE Recovery Yoga to all struggling with Substance Use Disorder

SAFE Coalition in partnership with Sacred Tree Yoga Announces FREE Recovery Yoga to all struggling with Substance Use Disorder. Sessions will run every Friday night beginning THIS Friday 12/22/17. There are two offerings each night.

1. For those in recovery from Substance Use Disorder -  “Yoga for Recovery “ 7-8 PM
Yoga for Recovery explores the parallels between yoga and the twelve-step path weaving together a tool for enhanced healing. This integrative practice offers breathing, stretching, inspiration, relaxation, and meditation while offering support for self-forgiveness, self-love, and self-care on the road of recovery. Absolutely no yoga experience is required. Dress comfortably. All props are provided. Come with an open mind and open heart for an opportunity that can improve the moment with a supportive community where people help people.

2. For Parents and loved ones - Heart with Hope Restorative Yoga – 5:30-6:30 PM
Heart with Hope Restorative Yoga is for parents and loved ones of those
who suffer from the disease of addiction. This practices slows down the body and mind through passive movement while using props for support. Receive nurturing, comfort, inspirations, insights, and tools for daily living during a series of restorative poses that are supported with bolsters, blocks, straps, sandbags, blankets, and pillows. All props are provided. Honor yourself by allowing the physical, mental, and spiritual body to integrate and heal through relaxation and restoration.

Please join us!

Sacred Tree Studio is located at 65 Holbrook St. Suite 110 Norfolk MA.
https://www.sacredtreeyoga.net

FREE Recovery Yoga to all struggling with Substance Use Disorder

More about the SAFE Coalition can be found http://safecoalitionma.com/