Ipswich Public Health Department Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day, Shares Prevention Resources

IPSWICH – The Ipswich Public Health Department wishes to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day by sharing local prevention resources available to residents. 

International Overdose Awareness Day is observed on Aug. 31. It is the world’s largest annual overdose prevention campaign, aimed at honoring and remembering those who lost their lives to overdose while providing resources and support to those affected by overdose and substance misuse. 

The Public Health Department would like to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day by reminding residents of the resources available to them within the community that support those struggling with substance misuse. 

North Shore Health Project, through its One Stop Harm Reduction Program, provides syringe services for Ipswich and offers free, confidential harm reduction resources such as naloxone and naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and opioid overdose recognition and reversal education. 

Individuals or businesses can call or text One Stop’s confidential line, 978-515-0455.

The Town of Ipswich also has five different locations with overdose response cabinets, which contain naloxone. 

Naloxone, known by brand names like Narcan or ReVive, is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose from opioids – including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications – when given in time.

Residents may use the naloxone in the overdose response cabinets in case of an emergency, but are also encouraged to take it and keep it at home or in their cars. 

Cabinets can be found at the following locations:

• Hall Haskell House, 30 South Main St., cabinet located in the restroom. 
• Ipswich Public Library, 25 North Main St., cabinets located by the elevator on each floor. 
• Ipswich Town Hall, 25 Green St., cabinets located by the AED on each floor. 
• Ipswich Fire Department, 55 Central St., cabinet located outdoors on the Manning Street side of the building. 
• Ipswich Fire Station, 330 Linebrook Road, cabinet located outdoors on the Linebrook Road side of the building.

The Public Health Department would also like to inform residents about SafeSpot, a free 24/7 hotline that addresses the number one risk factor for fatal overdoses — using alone — by connecting individuals struggling who are using substances with a trained operator who can call for help in the event of an overdose. The hotline, which is confidential, can be reached toll-free at 800-972-0590. 

For more information about naloxone and additional substance misuse resources, visit here. 

“Substance misuse is an incredibly widespread issue that impacts so many individuals and their families, which is why it is so important that we provide the resources for our community to be educated and prepared in the event of an emergency,” said Director of Public Health Colleen Fermon.