Background

• Over the past few years, Andover has seen an increase in unintentional opioid overdose deaths. It is important for families to have access to information and resources related to drugs and alcohol, including but not limited to opioids. As following are websites for adults and teens to learn about drugs and alcohol, as well as resources for treatment options:

General Information:

• DrugAbuse.gov provides information about various drugs including heroin and prescription drugs. This page is useful for both parents/guardians and adolescents.

• Kidshealth.org explains different drugs in a manner that is useful for both parents/guardians and kids.

• SAMHSA.gov is useful forparents hoping to learn more about drugs. SAMHSA also allows parents/guardians to find treatment for their children/loved ones.

• The Intervention eBook that describes how to intervene when you believe that your child or loved one is using drugs or drinking alcohol.Parents/guardians will find this especially useful.

• This guide provides information for parents/guardians about prescription drugs.

Treatment Resources and Options

If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, there are treatment options out there. As following are links to various resources that service both adolescents and adults:

• Boston Children's Hospital offers services to adolescents with addiction. Available services include evaluation, counseling, parent guidance, etc. Specific services are available for those with an opioid use disorder.

• Learn to Cope helps connect people with treatment and support groups. Adult and adolescent treatment facilities from across Massachusetts are listed. Meetings and support groups are also listed. Family member discussion forums are also found on this website.

• The Massachusetts Substance Abuse Education Helpline provides information for treatment options. Resources for family and friends of people with substance use disorders are also included.

• NAMI provides information for treatment facilities and options throughout Massachusetts. Other support groups and educational pieces can be found on this site.

• SAMHSA.gov can assist in finding treatment facilities, support groups, etc.

Opioids

Since 2005, more people in Massachusetts have died from opioid overdose than from motor vehicle accidents, as reported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Heath. It is important to know that the term "opioids" refers to both heroin and pain relieving medications such as Percocet or Vicodin as well. The following resources specifically discuss opioids:

• What exactly are opioids? If you are interested in specifically learning about opioids this page serves to educate people about how opioids affect the body, and the consequences of abusing prescription pain relievers.

• A heroin fact sheet that discusses the effects of using this drug. This piece also describes the possibility of prescription opioid abuse leading to heroin use.

• A report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health related to unintentional opioid overdose deaths in Massachusetts. This report provides important statistics and facts related to the opioid issue.

• Strategies aimed to fight the opioid crisis in Massachusetts are listed and described here, as provided by the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services.