TACKLING THE OPIOID CRISIS

The opioid epidemic hit Essex County hard, with 284 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016 — a grim statistic that places Essex second only to Middlesex as the county with the most such fatalities in Massachusetts.

The statistics, however, are only part of the story. Addiction takes a terrible toll on individuals, families and communities. Patients struggling with substance use disorders can be some of the most challenging and difficult to treat, with their caregivers suffering from stress and burnout.

In response, the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation recently awarded Beverly Hospital two grants to confront addiction on two fronts — by expanding medication-assisted treatment for patients and creating training and support programs for caregivers. These grants totaling $185,000 supported programs designed to address substance abuse on the North Shore in partnership with Lahey Health Behavioral Services and Addison Gilbert Hospital.

“Substance abuse continues to be the greatest threat in the North Shore, and we are proud to support these hospitals as they work tirelessly to confront these important issues.”

— Suzanne Graves, MD, President of the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation

One grant, totaling $110,000, expanded evidence-based medication-assisted treatment programs in Danvers and Gloucester. These programs offered all three opioid addiction treatment medications (methadone, Suboxone and Vivitrol) under one roof—giving caregivers more options to address each patient’s needs. Studies have shown that medication-assisted treatment, combined with counseling and community re-engagement, provides the best results for patients while improving their quality of life.

A second grant, totaling $75,000, was used to train staff in caring for the special demands of patients with substance use disorders. The grant supported the hiring of a social worker to help them avoid “compassion fatigue.” The grant also underwrote meditative staff rooms equipped with relaxing music and space for Reiki, hand massages and other helpful coping measures.

[Adapted from this article]