HHS Chief updates City Council on overdose outreach program

By Barbara Taormina

Revere’s Chief of Health and Human Services, Lauren Buck, appeared before the City Council this week to provide councillors with an update on the city’s overdose outreach program. Buck explained that the police, fire department and ambulance service provide information on overdoses to the health department, which then follows up with an in-person visit to provide support, counseling, Narcan kits, referrals and other relevant assistance. Outreach workers use addresses to connect with individuals, family members and sometimes business owners to provide resources to prevent future overdoses.

The program takes in account that someone who has overdosed is at risk for overdosing again, Buck told councillors. Buck reported that since Oct. 16, there have been 101 overdoses and 16 opioid-related deaths in Revere. Buck said outreach workers don’t always succeed in connecting with individuals but she stressed that the boots-on-the ground outreach is critically important prevention.

Councillor-at-Large Marc Silvestri, a staunch advocate for those struggling with addiction and homelessness, questioned Buck about the number of overdoses since July and asked about who was doing the outreach and the number of outreach workers. Buck did not have those details available. “Every overdose we’ve had has gotten outreach,” she said, although at times the program has functioned with one part-time outreach worker.

Silvestri also asked about the program’s $298,000 funding from state grants and the $90,000 budgeted for this year. Silvestri wanted to know about the remaining $208,000. “We want to make sure that the money lasts as long as possible. It’s sitting with the City of Revere to be used in future years,” said Buck.

Councillor-at-Large Gerry Visconti asked about staffing and how many people are needed to make the program effective. Buck said boots-on-the-ground outreach is the priority, and two full-time and one part-time outreach worker did not satisfy the need in Revere.

“Hopefully, the new administration will provide the funding needed to do the outreach,” said Visconti.