Several North Shore towns have previously installed programs

In the wake of a report showing a high number of opiate-related hospitalizations, many area communities are rallying to find solutions to the growing problem.The Northeast Center for Healthy Communities (NCHC) conducted the study that amassed crude rates (per 100,000) for opiate-related incidents for 2003-2005. The NCHC study was based on data obtained from the state Department of Public Health Massachusetts Community Health Information Profile (MassCHIP). The data reflects residents of the community, not incidents in the community, meaning that hospitalizations occurring in communities other than the patient’s hometown are still counted against the hometown.According to the NCHC interpretation of the MassCHIP data, Saugus outranked communities such as Lynn, Everett, Salisbury, Lawrence and Lowell in the number of residents who were hospitalized for opiate-related incidents.Based on a per-100,000 rate, Saugus had 521.28 hospitalizations. Lynn came in second with 421.99, followed by Medford with 403.36. Peabody, Wakefield and Nahant also made the top 10 list with 257.02, 244.13 and 267.64 respectively. The numbers are cumulative for a three-year period from 2003 through 2005.Oxycontin abuse, which is commonly followed by heroin abuse, often starts in school-aged children who either steal prescriptions from their parents, are introduced to painkillers while playing sports or are simply enticed into trying drugs through peer pressure.While the Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (DARE) program is no longer funded by the police department in the Lynn schools, the city has included drug abuse prevention and education as part of its health curriculum, and it is a vital part of education, especially in elementary schools.There are programs in place by both the District Attorney and Lynn Police at several schools, including the Marshall Middle School where students learn to “make good choices” when it comes to drugs, alcohol and gangs.For older students who may be already struggling with addiction or temptation, Superintendent Nicholas Kostan said guidance and health counselors are always available and always seeking out at-risk students.”We make sure our teachers are always talking about the dangers of doing drugs and it is a big part of our health curriculum,” said Kostan. “We have guidance counselors available for kids who may be having a problem and they are always available to provide support for our students.”According to the report, Nahant had 29 individuals hospitalized for opiate-related issues from 2003 through 2005, but not all town officials are convinced the data is accurate.Nahant Police Lt. Thomas F. Hutton said even one hospitalization is too many, but he also questioned whether the report is accurate.”Police and fire are the front lines,” he said. “We respond to all medical aid calls in town and I find it hard to believe there have been 29 overdoses in three years. I just don’t see it.”Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan, who has not seen the report, said his initial reaction is the methodology used to compile the report may be skewed.”This (opiate hospitalizations) isn’t something that has been brought to my attention by police, fire, schools or parents,” he said. “I think it’s the curse of small numbers. We have a small population so even two or three hospitalizations could skew the results.”Even though Swampscott was on the lower end of the scale with 134.43 hospitalizations per 100,000, town officials are still concerned.Swampscott Police Chief Ronald Madigan said it is something the community has been addressing for several years.”Everyone is touched by this problem nowadays,” he said. “OxyContin is clearly a problem. We are committed to working with parents and the school department on this issue.”Peabody, who ranked eighth on the list of highest crude rates for opiate-related hospitalizations, has long been battling their numbers. Much of their efforts began in 2004 after Jeff Allison, a former Peabody ba