DrugFreeNB Program to host Education and Outreach Events

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has approved the second phase of a grant to the City of New Bedford’s Pathways DrugFreeNB Coalition for the implementation of a program designed to help reduce non-medical use of prescription drugs across the community.

The DrugFreeNB Prescription Drug Program is designed to educate and spread awareness about the consequences of prescription drug misuse in an effort to reduce opioid dependency, addiction and overdose. Organizers spent the last six months engaging in a Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) planning process that yielded an initial strategic plan to address the issue. The DrugFreeNB advisory team conducted research with Roger Williams University evaluators who gathered feedback and data from community-based agencies, city departments, Southcoast Hospitals, faith community leaders and city residents.

“In New Bedford, we are working as a community to find ways to address this issue. DrugFreeNB Coalition is raising public awareness of how legitimate pain medication prescriptions often lead to dependency.” said Mayor Mitchell.

DrugFreeNB will facilitate several upcoming education and outreach events in the coming weeks. On June 26, the group will host a Prescription Drug Conference at Whites of Westport from 9:30 am until 1:00 pm. Guest speakers will address prescription drug misuse and offer prevention strategies. The conference includes complimentary continental breakfast and lunch and is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required through the program website: www.drugfreenb.org or by calling (508) 979-1796. The DrugFreeNB team will also be on hand at the 3rd Eye Open at Buttonwood Park on Sunday, July 21 from 11:00 am until 2:00pm. For more information about the program contact Luisa Paez-Espinal at (508) 979-1796.