A six-month-old program aimed at getting help for people addicted to opioids is seeing positive results , according to leaders of the effort.
The city’s heroin quick response team has contacted 65 people who have had an opioid overdose since its launch March 1.
Called the Helping Overdose through Prevention and Education, or HOPE, program, a team consisting of a police officer, paramedic and a social worker has a goal of meeting with a person who overdosed within three to five days to connect them with appropriate assistance.
Franklin Fire Chief Jonathan Westendorf said that assistance could include encouragement, support, counseling, treatment, transportation, communicating, clothing, housing and follow-up. He said the HOPE team gets referrals for health care providers, other first responders and from the courts.