Before the arrival of coronavirus, substance use disorder was a public health emergency. The pandemic has only exacerbated the problem: CDC data shows overdose deaths increased 18% from 2019 to 2020. On the Point, we discuss public health campaigns on Martha’s Vineyard and the Cape. Both encourage a collaborative and multi-faceted approach to decrease stigma, and increase access to supports and services. Later in the hour we hear about how, in partnership with the NIH and academic institutions, The HEALing Communities Study aims to reduce opioid overdose deaths by 40 percent over 3 years in participating communities.
Guests on the program are as follows:
Dr. Charles Silberstein, Medical Director at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Island Counseling Center and on Staff at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital
Michele Jones, former volunteer at AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod
Dr. Joe Smyser, CEO of Public Good Projects
Erin Ralston, Community Coordinator for HEALing Communities Bourne and Sandwich
Danny Rodriguez, Associate Director of Substance Use Disorder Services at Duffy Health Center
Kate Lena, Hyannis Program Manager and Harm Reduction Lead for the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod
On Island is a public health campaign set in motion by the Martha’s Vineyard Substance use Disorder Coalition.
Here's a link to the hour-long documentary mentioned on the program
Here is a link to the NIH HEAL initiative with resources for Bourne and Sandwich
