Comprehensive Place-based Response to the Opioid Crisis
In 2019, RIZE conducted a gap analysis in four Massachusetts cities: Chelsea, Everett, Malden, and Medford. The aim was to evaluate existing collaborations for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) and identify areas for improvement. The analysis found that while each city had its own initiatives, there was a need to work together to combat the overdose crisis. As a result, a collaboration between these cities was formed, bringing together leaders from several government agencies, including police and public health departments.
To support the collaboration, RIZE created the Comprehensive Place-based Response to the Opioid Crisis grant program. Each municipality received an annual grant to support community infrastructure that could be used to increase capacity to support access to programs and services for those suffering from OUD, such as staff time, supplies like naloxone, and more.
The funding was flexible and could address clients’ needs as they sought treatment, such as short-term lodging at a Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing-certified sober home, taxi vouchers, food, and application fees (e.g., driver’s license). We also engaged the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to facilitate structured meetings with the four grantee communities. This backbone support created space for routine updates and best practice sharing and identified new resources, linkages, and opportunities for direct service partnerships between them.
This video highlights the significant impact the funding had on these communities. It also emphasizes the remarkable collaboration among the four cities, illustrating how this program successfully unified them toward a common goal. Additionally, the video offers insights into the challenges encountered during the process, the strategies used to overcome them, and the positive outcomes achieved through this collective effort.
RIZE funded this program from 2020 to 2024. It serves as a model for a coordinated response to treating OUD and saving lives for other cities and towns throughout Massachusetts.