Substance Use and Opioid Addiction

Substance use and opioid addiction are public health crises affecting our community along with virtually every community throughout he Commonwealth and country. We must address this in substantive ways rather than believing it only impacts other communities. The regional and local drug supply continues to rapidly change with the introduction and increase of various synthetic substances. It is critical for all community members to understand the impact of opioids, know how to respond to an overdose, and recognize that we all have a role in substance and opioid use prevention.

Opioids in South Hadley and Hampshire County

Overdoses and related deaths in South Hadley and Hampshire County have decreased in the last few years. While it is encouraging to see that public health approaches are working, there are still too many lives lost to overdose each year.

From 2020-2025, there were 26 overdose deaths in South Hadley.
From 2020-2024, South Hadley's Emergency Medical Services received an average of 35 opioid-related calls annually.
From 2020-2024, there were 26 opioid-related emergency room visits by South Hadley residents.

Members of the community are also seeking treatment for opioid use. In 2024, 136 South Hadley residents received prescriptions for buprenorphine, a medication that is typically prescribed to help individuals reduce or end opioid use. It can be combined with counseling, behavioral therapies, and peer support.

Recognizing and Responding to an Overdose

What happens during an opioid overdose?

An overdose occurs when opioids significantly slow breathing and the brain does not get enough oxygen. An overdose can start in a few minutes or several hours after a drug is taken. Knowing how to respond quickly and how to administer naloxone (an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of an overdose) is an essential community first aid skill.

How to Respond to an Overdose

Watch a brief Public Service Announcement about how to respond to an overdose here (5 min.) Courtesy of the Central Pioneer Valley Public Health District.

Watch a full training on how to response to an overdose and administer nasal naloxone here (27 min). Facilitated by Hampshire HOPE and coordinated by the South Hadley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition.

Carrying Nasal Naloxone

Nasal naloxone is safe and easy to use. It can restore regular breathing within minutes. It is not addictive and has no effect on someone who doesn't have opioids in their system. Carrying naloxone can prevent an overdose from becoming fatal.

Nasal naloxone is available in Opioid Rescue Kits inside Town Hall, the Public Library, and the Council on Aging in South Hadley. The Public Health Department office also has naloxone available for anyone to pick up. No questions asked. Stop by the office between 8:30am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

Good Samaritan Law

Everyone can be a community responder, but fear of police involvement can make bystanders hesitant to help. The Good Samaritan Law protects anyone who is responding to an overdose and the person who overdosed from arrest, charges, or prosecution for drug possession.

If you witness an overdose, contact emergency services immediately to tell them that someone is not breathing and is unresponsive, and include a clear address and description of where they are located. Overdose survival rates dramatically improve with quick, early intervention.

Local Resources

Opioid Use Prevention

Hampshire HOPE (Heroin and Opioid Prevention Education)
www.hampshirehope.org
Phone: 413-587-1215

Overdose Prevention and Response

Northampton Drug Addiction Recovery Team (DART)
www.dartma.org
Phone: 413-588-2335

SafeSpot
https://safe-spot.me/
Phone: 800-972-0590

Recovery

Northampton Recovery Center
www.northamptonrecoverycenter.org
Phone: 413-834-4127

Hope for Holyoke Recovery Support Center
www.gandaracenter.org/hopeforholyoke
Phone: 413-561-1020

Westfield Peer Recovery Support Center
www.facebook.com/p/Westfield-Peer-Recovery-Center-61576738773267/
Phone: 413-507-0787

Grief Support

Learn to Cope
https://learn2cope.org

SADOD (Support After a Death by Overdose)
https://sadod.org/

The Sun Will Rise Foundation
Peer grief support groups
https://thesunwillrise.org

Health and Harm Reduction

Tapestry Health
Harm Reduction Services (including Syringe Pick-up and Disposal): https://www.tapestryhealth.org/harm-reduction/
Phone: 413- 270-3277

Mobile Health Services: https://www.tapestryhealth.org/mobile-health/
Phone: 413-309-2151

Regional Drug Supply Information

Public Health Bulletins and The Cut provide information about what is happening in the regional drug supply and alerts on substances of concern. These are published by the Opioid Research Collaborative at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management.