Recovery resources available for those suffering from opioid addiction in Massachusetts
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Fentanyl is helping to drive the opioid crisis across the country and is the most common drug involved in overdose deaths.
Drug dealers have been mixing fentanyl with other drugs including heroin, meth, and cocaine because of its low cost and high potency. That high potency is what makes it addictive.
'Fentanyl is a really big issue,' explained Chelsea Bryant, the Vice President of Behavioral Health, Substance Use & Recovery Services at The Gándara Center. 'It's in almost all of the drugs found here in the area.'
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 224 people died each day from an opioid overdose in 2022. The Gándara Center is trying to help people who are suffering from addiction before they become part of the statistic.
The impact of fentanyl crisis on one western Massachusetts city
'What Gándara offers are safe programs,' explained the organization's CEO, Lois Nesci. 'People can come to us. Our staff is non-judgmental. Many have lived experience, so they have walked in the shoes of many of the people we have served.'
They have residential recovery homes for people transitioning from a detox program back into the community. That helps connect those in recovery to therapy, permanent housing and employment. They also have peer recovery support centers, treatment programs, recovery coaching, and more.
Josue Rivera is one of the recovery coaches. He's part of the Holyoke Police Community Center. It's a team that searches the streets of Holyoke everyday looking for people who need help.
'Individuals who are out there because of the lifestyle they are living might not be aware of the services that are available for them,' Rivera said.
The Gándara Center also distributes Narcan, which is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. 'At a lot of our residential programs, we give out Narcan even when they are being discharged so that we ensure they continue to be safe,' Bryant said.
Officers with the Springfield Police Department have been carrying Narcan for six years. Spokesperson Ryan Walsh says officers have administered 617 life-saving doses of the medication in that time. Members of the Holyoke Police Community Center also use Narcan.
'We think it's very, very important. It saves lives,' explained Detective Dorothy Beben of the Holyoke Police Department. 'You're not going to get in trouble, and it's not going to be harmful. If you use Narcan on someone, and let's just say they're not suffering from an overdose, it's not going to hurt them.'
Nesci told 22News the Gándara Center helps people no matter where they are in their recovery journey. 'We don't give up on people. We give them a chance. So, for those who are listening, it's important to note that if you know somebody with addiction, say something. Invite them to get some help.'
Thousands of heroin bags found during search warrants in Springfield
'There's always a way,' said Rivera. 'There's always an opportunity. There's always somebody who cares.'
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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