The MassHEALing Study was initiated when Boston Medical Center was selected to work with 16 communities in Massachusetts to bridge gaps in prevention, treatment, and recovery services by testing the implementation of a suite of tailored programs. Lawrence is included in their Wave 2 study program and formally starts July 1, 2022. There has been preliminary work permitting the coordinators to begin building their programs since September 2021. Our coordinator began her duties as of April 11, 2022.
Key components of their approach include engaging with communities in a process to:
1) Identify local needs and existing resources.
2) Select and implement a range of evidence-based practices to reduce opioid overdose deaths.
3) Communicate messages to reduce the stigma of opioid use disorder and increase the number of individuals receiving and adhering to medication for opioid use disorder.
4) Accelerate access to low-threshold initiation of medication for opioid use disorder for individuals at high risk during hospitalization, incarceration, or detoxification.

The coordinator works closely with the DFC, MassCALL3, and OD2A coordinators to compare information and support each other’s programs. The Study Coordinator also works closely with the representatives from
Boston Medical Center and MassHEALing Study teams to achieve the goal of helping to reduce the number of overdoses in our community by 40%.