Starting January 3, 2022, the City of Pawtucket will have an operational safe station in its fire stations across the city in an effort to reduce incidents related to substance use disorders.
With the completion of all the necessary training with Gateway Health and the Pawtucket Public Safety team, the assembly of the harm reduction kits that will be distributed to individuals upon arrival, and areas designated and arranged for these stations, the City has announced that all will be operational the first week in January.
Individuals in need can head to any Pawtucket Fire Station and will be greeted by a member of the Pawtucket Fire Department who will conduct a health assessment. Following that assessment, the firefighter will then be calling Gateway Health who will provide a licensed mental health clinician to assist at the station and meet with the individual at any time or day to provide recovery services.
Additionally, individuals will have the option to just receive a harm reduction kit if they so choose. Each harm reduction kit includes Narcan, a fentanyl testing kit, masks, information on recovery clinics in RI, informational material on Good Samaritan laws, and opioid information from RICares and Gateway Health in an easy-to-carry Pawtucket Prevention Coalition draw string bag. Those looking for assistance will be guided to additional resources on harm reduction including a 24/7 hour call line.
“I want to thank the dedication of our Public Safety team and the support of the Council for helping to move this plan forward so that we could start at the beginning of the new year,” said Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “Thank you to the Rhode Island Department of Health, Pawtucket Prevention Coalition, Gateway Health, and Project Weber/RENEW for their willingness to provide resources and training for these stations.”
“We will now have the capacity to provide 24/7 access to care for those in need,” said Public Health and Equity Leader Elizabeth Moreira. “With the implementation of this program, Pawtucket will provide real-time resources for individuals in need of substance use and mental health services and promote preventative care.”
The City of Pawtucket will have Safe Stations operational at all hours of the day. If you are in need of harm reduction resources and information, the City of Pawtucket encourages you to go to the station nearest you.
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