The Peru Board of Health was approached by Andy Ottoson who is a senior planner in public health at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. He facilitates the Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative (BOAPC) which is a county wide collaborative that seeks to reduce opiate overdoses and related harm from substance misuse. The goals of BOACP include harm reduction, peer support, medication, behavioral therapy, outreach, and support. Which is all part of the approach breaking the stigma and educate the public that substance use disorder is a disease that can be treated He reached out to us regarding our plans for use of opiate industry settlements funds. The Massachusetts Attorney General along with the Attorney generals and other states successfully sued the drug manufacturers and received settlement funds that can be used to increase local prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services along with addressing the underlying root causes of substance use disorders. The goal is to ensure that these settlements funds are put to good use in a matter that is consistent with the abatement terms. The Board of Health presented to the Select Board Andy’s recommendation for the funds to go directly to BOAPC to continue their community wide efforts that would be available to all Berkshire County residents. This recommendation was approved by the Select Board. Recent numbers indicate a decrease in fatal overdoses in 2024 , though Berkshire County’s decrease was less than the statewide rate, and the highest fatality ratio in the state. Multiple factors including economic status, isolation and mental health issues contribute to the opiate crisis in the Berkshires. Many services that are offered include Berkshire Harm Reduction which provides supply testing, Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, syringes, Sexually transmitted infection testing and linkage to care and treatment. Harm reduction services continue to serve Peru on the 3rd Thursday with a mobile unit, sometimes a car from 1-2 PM parked behind the fire station, website is Berkshirehealthsystems.org. The Brein Crisis Line offers 24/7 confidential support and resources for people in distress or their loved ones. Naloxone is widely available throughout Berkshire County. We continue to offer free naloxone kits at the Town Hall, Library and Transfer Station. Or you can View a mobile – friendly map at Boapc.org/naloxone. The Thrive team provides outreach to individuals who may be at risk for overdose including visiting neighborhoods with higher opiate related 911 calls to share information with a neighbor helping neighbor emphasis : boacp.org/thrive. If you are interested in finding out more about the opiate crisis, resources and treatment in Berkshire County and BOAPC Andy will be attending the Mountain Market Saturday October 11th 9 to 3:00 PM in the community room in the Peru Town hall. He will have naloxone kits and more resources available.If you missed the Peru Vaccine Clinic for flu and covid shots sponsored by the Berkshire Public Health Alliance Public Health Nurses. There are many other Berkshire County vaccine clinics that are open to Berkshire County residents. The website getvaccinatedberkshires.org will give you information regarding eligibility and available clinics as well as the registration link as preregistration is recommended.

The Board of Health continues to Serve the town in any matter related to water, sewage, sanitation and public health issues. You can reach the health inspector Valerie Bird at vbird@berkshireplanning.org

Stay well, stay active and stay safe, Peggy White pwhiteperuboh@aol.com