WESTBOROUGH — On Thursday, Jan. 31, Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative Executive Director Allie Hunter McDade was on hand as the Massachusetts Environmental Police trained officers on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Officers took part in hands-on exercises, where they learned how to administer life-saving nasal NARCAN, which was donated by P.A.A.R.I. through support from the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation.

This training is part of a larger partnership between P.A.A.R.I. and the Massachusetts Environmental Police to equip officers with naloxone and connect individuals with substance use disorders to local treatment and support services. The 15 officers at today’s training were issued a two-dose NARCAN kit, a NarCase carrying holster, and contact cards for PAARI’s team of 25 AmeriCorps Recovery Coaches located across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Environmental Police are the first conservation law enforcement agency in the nation to join P.A.A.R.I.