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First Church Shelter Director Jim Stewart and others at First Church continue to support SIFMA Now in advocating for state action to make Overdose Prevention Centers (OPC) available in Massachusetts. Legislation that is awaiting action in both the Massachusetts House of Representatives (H1981) and the Massachusetts Senate (S1242) would help make it possible for communities to host OPCs.

OPCs around the world, most recently New York City, have proven effective in reducing overdose deaths, as well as injection related infections. They have also been shown to increase participation in treatment and to reduce the amount of injection related detritus (syringes, etc.) in the neighborhoods that host them. (Read the details here.) Advocates and providers in Cambridge and Worcester are prepared to help stand up and operate OPCs once state legislation is passed.

If you have not already done so, go to: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator to send an email letting them know it is time to #savelivesnow; encourage them to vote in favor of making Overdose Prevention Centers legal in Massachusetts.