Saugus board plans Overdose Vigil

SAUGUS – Last summer, Saugus joined Winthrop, Chelsea and Revere to form Winnisimmet Regional Opioid Collaborative (WROC) to combat the opiate drug problem that has plagued the four communities.Opiates are classified as pain-killing drugs known to give users a sense of elation. They include drugs such as heroin, oxycontin, vicodin and fentanyl.A nasal spray called Narcan is currently the most effective way to reverse an overdose. Lasting up to 90 minutes, Narcan creates a barrier between the brain’s receptors and the potentially lethal effects of the opiate.Although two doses used to suffice, four doses of Narcan are now needed to “bring someone back,” as users tend to combine two or more opiates, according to Grant Manager Julia Newhall of Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Collaborative.Under WROC, Saugus residents came together to form the Saugus United Against Substance Abuse board (SUASA).According to the state Department of Public Health, 25 Saugus residents died as a result of opiate overdoses between 2008 and 2012.”We had to collect data on the scope of the problem,” said Gregory Nickolas, SUASA’s substance abuse coordinator, at Wednesday’s meeting.Originally scheduled for 5 p.m., Chairman Paul Allan delayed the starting time by 20 minutes as Nickolas and Newhall were suddenly confronted with an actual drug-related situation outside the library.For the remainder of the meeting, the board discussed the logistics of its Overdose Vigil on Sept. 28. The purpose of the vigil is to raise awareness about opiate use and to remember those who have lost their lives because of an overdose.Newhall said that anyone who would like to have a name mentioned during the event can call 781-816-9987.In the event of rain, board members entertained the possibility of using the Town Hall as an alternate location. However, the atmosphere of the vigil would be diminished as real candles are not permitted inside the building.”It would be bad for me if you burned down the Town Hall,” said Fire Chief Don McQuaid.Allan remained optimistic about the weather.”It’s not going to rain,” he said. “It might snow, but it won’t rain.”Newhall mentioned that there will be two events prior to the vigil. The first will be a fundraiser hosted by SUASA at the Saugus Elks on Sept. 13. The second will be the 8th Annual Revere Beach Memorial on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.In March, Gov. Deval Patrick allocated $20 million “to increase treatment and recovery services” in response to a public health emergency caused by the increased opiate use.With greater “political will” from the state, Nickolas said that support for an anti-drug organization such as SUASA is much stronger now than it would have been in the past.In the coming months, SUASA will hire two part-time peer educators, create an online toolkit and open a drop-in center, where individuals can be treated regardless of whether or not they have insurance.”There is a readiness now that wasn’t there before,” said Newhall.