In an effort to determine the scope of the drug epidemic within Plymouth County, District Attorney Tim Cruz and Sheriff Joe McDonald have created the Public Safety Subcommittee of the Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force.
The Public Safety Subcommittee brings all of the Plymouth County Police Chiefs and Fire Chiefs together at one table to discuss the recent trends each have seen in their communities.
Public Safety Subcommittee Chairs
Chief Michael Miksch
Hanson Police Department
Chief Marc Duphily
Carver Police Department
Initiatives:
MED Return Program
Lock Up Your Prescription Medications…
If you keep any medications in your home, they should be locked up at all times. Medications hat are unused, unwanted or expired should be disposed of at your local police departments MedReturn box.
PSA: The Good Samaritan Law
The Plymouth County Police Chiefs, District Attorney Tim Cruz and Sheriff Joe McDonald
discuss the Good Samaritan Law in Plymouth County.
What is the Good Samaritan Law?
In the event of an overdose, if someone calls 911 in good faith they will face no legal prosecutions. Unless there is enough drugs to be considered trafficking or the person has a warrant out for their arrest.
If you suspect someone is overdosing seek help immediately!!! Call 911 and Save a Life!
Plymouth County Outreach
Project Outreach is a collaboration of Public Safety Agencies and Healthcare Providers. It was created to respond to the ever growing number of opiate overdoses by conducting follow-up visits within 12-24 hours after an overdose.
The program is not limited to those addicted to opiates, it is for everyone impacted by addiction.
Overdose Follow-up:
After a overdose occurs in a participating community the Project Outreach team of safety officials and healthcare providers determines the best course of action to help that person.
If it is determined that an in person follow-up may help, a healthcare worker and safety official will go to the overdose victims home.
The healthcare worker will discuss treatment options with the individual and will help to get them into treatment as soon as possible if they choose to go.
Drop In Centers:
Project Outreach/PCO Hope Drop In Centers are open for anyone who is looking for information about treatment. We encourage family and friends to stop in and talk to our healthcare providers. This setting provides a unique opportunity to have the undivided attention of a healthcare worker who specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders. They will answer any question you have, explain the science of addiction, discuss treatment options, help to work through issues with paying for treatment, and assist individuals with getting into a treatment program.
Harbor Media
Published on Jul 2, 2018
The opioid epidemic has become a very real and near problem to us on the South Shore. So much so, that Plymouth County has enacted a collaborative effort known as the Plymouth County Outreach (PCO).
This organization of 27 police departments, medical professionals, and community outreach has become the blueprint for a new approach to overdose and drug-use response that is likely to inspire other communities to reconsider their approach to this epidemic. How PCO’s approach differs from previous strategies is that it utilizes educational training to destigmatize addiction and provide outreach support in a 24-48 hour period after an overdose has occurred in the form of a recovery coach.
Kurt Gerold, a member of PAARI Americorps, is a recovery coach in the Hull/Hingham area. He’s ready and willing to provide compassionate support as someone with personal experience of substance use disorder himself.
Pembroke Signs Campaign
