CLOSE aims to create greater understanding of opioid issue

Oct. 27, 2016 | Chris Goudreau
cgoudreau@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW – A new community group called the Coalition of Longmeadow for a Substance Free Community (CLOSE) has brought residents, health professionals, school officials, and members of local law enforcement together to help raise awareness about substance abuse in Longmeadow.

“Our mission is to bring together different parts of the community to focus efforts on education, prevention, and providing resources and support for treatment of substance use disorders,” Shelly Warren, substance abuse response coordinator for Longmeadow Public Schools, told Reminder Publications.  

Police Sgt. Carl Mazzaferro, who is a CLOSE member, said the coalition was formed in March as a response to the opioid crisis. The group was created shortly after a heroin awareness symposium, at which District Attorney Anthony Gulluni was a guest speaker as well as law enforcement and health officials.

“From my understanding talking with Shelly, [CLOSE] is something she’s been wanting to do for a while,” he noted. “The opioid crisis kind of expedited the process with this community.”

He added the group is looking for members who are a part of the Longmeadow community who could participate in the coalition.

“We have individuals who are doctors, legal professionals, parents themselves who have dealt with substance abuse,” Mazzaferro said.

The group is also committed to helping people struggling with substance abuse if they are looking for it, he noted.  

The coalition has developed a community survey, which is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CLOSEsurvey.

“The purpose of the survey is to gather data from the community as to where they see the largest issues [are] and where they think we should best direct our resources,” Warren explained.

Mazzaferro said the survey is also available on the Longmeadow Police Department’s Facebook page.

Warren said the coalition would also host a screening of “Chasing the Dragon” – a documentary produced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agency to educate young adults about the opioid crisis. The film will be screen Nov. 1 at Longmeadow High School at 7 p.m.

“We’ll be using that movie with some groups of students within the high school as well,” she added. “We’re offering parents the opportunity to come and see that movie and be a part of that discussion.”

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