VIDEO: One hundred people struggling with drug addiction have sought help through Providence’s Safe Stations program, city leaders announced Monday. The program, which launched last January, allows residents to walk into any of the city’s fire stations at any time, any day of the year, and get access to treatment and recovery services. “If you think of last year throughout the state, there were about 24 homicides in all of Rhode Island, but there were about 300 overdose deaths,” Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said.
The idea was introduced by the city’s acting EMS Chief Zach Kenyon after he learned of a similar program in New Hampshire. City officials on Monday praised Kenyon and the others who made the program a reality, saying it’s working and saving lives. The city of Providence is disproportionately affected by overdose deaths, according to City Council President Sabina Matos. She said from 2016-2018, 252 people died from an overdose in Providence. “We have helped save 100 individuals. Just think of what would have happened if we didn’t have those resources available here,” Matos stated.