Behavioral Health Network held an agency-wide Ceremony of Remembrance in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on August 31st at the Liberty Street campus in Springfield. 

The IOAD observance included spoken remarks from BHN leadership, a poetry reading from clients, and a period of silent reflection. Purple flags were placed on BHN’s Liberty Street, Carlson Recovery Center, and Greenfield campuses to show support and commemorate those who have lost their lives to drug overdose.

Observed every year on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day seeks to create a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.

BHN President and CEO Steve Winn said, “By coming together to remember loved ones lost or injured due to overdose, we stand together to raise awareness, help reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and spread hope to those battling addiction and in recovery.”

Overdose rates have skyrocketed nationally in the last 25 years. In 2021, provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 107,622 drug overdose deaths, an increase of 15% from 2020.

In Massachusetts, there were 2,310 confirmed opioid-related deaths in 2022. When compared to 10 years prior, in 2012 there were 733 opioid-related deaths. In the four Western Massachusetts counties, there were 339 opioid-related deaths in 2022 (227 in Hampden County; 48 in Berkshire County; 27 in Franklin County; and 37 in Hampshire County).

According to Dr. Ruth Potee, Medical Director for substance use disorders at BHN, "The most important step to reduce overdoses is to make treatment with methadone and buprenorphine highly available in all communities. The work that BHN has done to reduce barriers and to improve transitions from jail to continued treatment has really shifted the overdose rates in our region.”

BHN is currently providing services to 1,790 patients across all four of its Outpatient Treatment Programs (OTPs) in Holyoke (439 individuals served), Greenfield (174 individuals served), Orange (224 individuals served), and Springfield (953 individuals served). 

BHN's addiction and recovery programs incorporate mental health and trauma-informed services to provide a safe, positive, and empowering environment for those seeking recovery and healing. The organization offers a full continuum of inpatient treatment options for individuals needing medical and psychological stabilization during the early recovery process from addiction to opioid/non-opioid substances or alcohol.

As individuals transition into long-term recovery, BHN offers support through outpatient programs that include therapy, medication management, and recovery coaching services. Residential recovery homes provide support to those transitioning back into the community.

Learn more BHN’s addiction and recovery programs.