Announces Public Trainings and Community Listening Sessions

Residents of Holden can now access naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, free of charge and without an appointment. Through a partnership with the Leicester Regional Public Health Coalition (LRPHC) and the Community Naloxone Program, the Holden Board of Health has installed a NaloxBox in the outer lobby of the Public Safety Complex at 1370 Main Street.

The NaloxBox is available during building hours. Anyone in need can simply open the box and take a naloxone kit – no questions asked and no registration required.

Naloxone reverses overdoses caused by opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone and has become a critical tool in preventing overdose deaths.

“Providing easy access to naloxone is one of the most important steps we can take locally to address the opioid crisis,” said Trevor Bruso, Director of Public Health for the Town of Holden. “Christopher Wilson, the Regional Epidemiologist for the LRPHC, and I have led many trainings across the region on how to recognize an overdose and how to administer naloxone. Making this medication widely available saves lives.”

To further expand community education, the Holden Board of Health and the LRPHC will host a free public naloxone training for area residents on February 10 at 6:00 pm in the conference room at the Holden Public Safety Complex.

The training will cover how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, what naloxone is and how it works, what to do in an overdose emergency, and how to administer naloxone, including hands-on scenarios.

“Last year we had more than 35 participants from Holden attend this training, and this year we hope to meet or exceed that number,” said Wilson. He added that the training is open to all Wachusett area residents. “At the end of the program, every participant will receive a free overdose response kit that includes naloxone, a rescue breathing mask, fentanyl test strips, and educational materials.”

The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office will also be present to highlight their outreach programs and available resources. “From the very beginning, we have worked closely with the district attorney’s office,” Bruso said. “Their participation in these trainings emphasizes the level of coordination and collaboration needed to truly address the opioid crisis.”

In addition, the Town of Holden will host a community listening session on February 11 at 6 pm also in the conference room at the Public Safety Complex, to gather public input on how to use opioid settlement funds that Massachusetts communities are receiving.

“This is an extremely important opportunity to hear directly from our residents,” said Bruso. “If you are struggling with opioid use, are in recovery, have lost a loved one, or care about someone affected by substance use, we need to hear from you. Your experiences and ideas will help shape how Holden uses these funds locally.”

All residents are encouraged to attend and participate. For those who cannot attend in person, a community survey, which takes approximately five minutes to complete, is available on the Board of Health’s website at www.holdenma/gov/health/

Bruso added that two additional listening sessions will be held on March 10 and March 14. “When it comes to local public health, community input is essential. We want to make sure these resources are used in the most effective and meaningful way possible,” said Bruso.

Trevor Bruso is Director of Public Health, Holden Board of Health. For questions, email him at: [email protected] W

Martha Akstin contributed to this story.