For Immediate Release

Friday, Nov. 6, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

EB HOPE’S First Intervention and Outreach Program A Success

EAST BRIDGEWATER– Police Chief John Cowan reports that the first meeting of the EB HOPE Substance Abuse Outreach and Intervention Program was a success.

On Nov. 5, EB HOPE hosted its first community substance abuse intervention and outreach program at the East Bridgewater Community Covenant Church, 400 Pleasant Street, East Bridgewater.

With any new initiative there is always risk in finding success, but last night was a great first effort. During EB HOPE’s four-hour, open house style setting in the church gymnasium, visitors to the drop-in center received information and resources provided by EB HOPE and its partners at the church. It was a great start for the program’s first night and EB HOPE was encouraged with the community utilizing its resources.

There were approximately 20 EB HOPE members, Angel volunteers and representatives from:

• Learn to Cope
• Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery
• A licensed clinician provided by BAMSI and Whitman Counseling Services
• Banyan Treatment Center
• Faith-based support representatives
• East Bridgewater Council on Aging
• Brockton Area Opioid Overdose Prevention Coalition
• Narcotics Anonymous

During this first four-hour session, the outreach program helped several citizens of East Bridgewater and the surrounding communities, who are suffering from addiction. These citizens were able to have private consultation with the licensed clinician, received information and assistance in setting up a treatment plan, as well as receiving Narcan training. Several friends or family members of persons suffering from addiction were able to have private consultation with the various addiction specialists, learning about treatment options for their loved ones, overdose and Narcan training, as well as receiving detailed information about substance abuse and addiction.

EB HOPE’s goal with this community outreach program is to help anyone who needs assistance with substance abuse and addiction while respecting everyone’s privacy. During the drop-in session, all three main areas of support were utilized: Treatment support, Recovery Support and Family Support. Several of the family members or friends who visited the drop-in center stated that they learned about the program through a recent Brockton Enterprise article, as well from a press release jointly distributed recently through the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.)

P.A.A.R.I., East Bridgewater Police and EB HOPE recently announced a partnership, with the P.A.A.R.I assisting in funding the EB HOPE outreach program during its first year. EB HOPE’s members and volunteers were excited that East Bridgewater and surrounding community residents sought these help resources and services last night, which would not have been made available to them were it not for the existence of the drop-in center. Most of the visitors were at the center for an hour or more, several stating how pleased they were that they had taken the time to come and learn more about addiction and how they may be able to help their loved ones seeking treatment. Several citizens left stating that they would be sharing their experience at the drop-in center with friends or others known to them either suffering from addiction or who have loved ones suffering. Several visitors stated that would be returning and encouraging others to attend the next scheduled outreach program session.

EB HOPE will be back at the drop-in center at the Community Covenant Church from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19th. The EB HOPE outreach program is being hosted during these hours on the first and third Thursday of each month.