Worcester’s DA Receives Grant of Nearly $400K to Battle City’s Opioid Epidemic

Thursday, October 01, 2015

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early announced on Wednesday that his office has received a two-year federal grant worth $398,928 to fund a multidisciplinary approach to reduce prescription drug abuse.

"This funding couldn't come at a better time for Worcester County," Early said. In 2014, there were 113 suspected overdose deaths throughout Worcester County. In the first nine months this year, the number of overdose deaths has hit 89.

The grant, which was issued by the Bureau of Justic Assistance, is one of only 14 given out in the United States.

Early said, "This is a great day in our on-going fight against opioid abuse in Worcester County. The money will support the strategies and activities that the Worcester County Opioid Abuse Prevention Task Force is currently working on to end opioid abuse."

The grant comes with four goals: to improve the data quality and monitoring; reduce the number of people diverting, misusing and abusing prescription drugs and opioids; reduce the number of unintentional opioid overdose deaths; and increase the capacity of law enforcement to investigate and respond to crimes involving prescription drugs and opioids.

“For our families in Worcester and across Massachusetts, tackling the opioid crisis is a top priority and this grant will make a tremendous difference,” Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Worcester) said. “I am grateful to the Worcester County Opioid Abuse Prevention Task Force for all of their work to end this terrible crisis. I know this strong partnership with the Justice Department will help them continue this important mission.”

Opioid overdose deaths spiked from 78 in 2012 to 120 in 2013. Since January 1, 2012, Worcester County has witnessed 400 suspected overdose deaths. Thirty-nine of Worcester County’s 60 communities had at least one overdose death in 2013 and more than a quarter of the communities had multiple overdose deaths.