Berkshire "Into Light" exhibit coming to North Adams; coalition outlines recovery supports

Anna Youngman, North County Community Coordinator at the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, told the City Council the Into Light exhibit will be on display March 13–June 30 at Hotel Down Street and will pair graphite portraiture with narrative to humanize lives lost to overdose.

"We bring Into Light to community to reduce stigma, to educate providers, students, and the community on the opioid epidemic and pathways to recovery," Youngman said. She described the coalition’s use of opioid settlement funds to support free civil legal services focused on housing discrimination, a "Keeping Recovery Connected" phones program providing free phones and three months of service to people with opioid involvement, and a "bolstering family networks" initiative to strengthen supports for families.

Youngman invited council and the public to facilitated exhibit walkthroughs and a series of forums — including sessions on harm reduction, neuroscience of addiction with Dr. Jennifer Michaels, and substance use and housing needs — and said materials have been provided to council packets. She also noted the coalition distributes naloxone widely and that local harm‑reduction partners test the illicit supply.

Councilors asked how the public would learn event dates; Youngman said information will be on the BRPC website and promoted on Facebook and in council packets. When asked about overdose trends and funding, Youngman said Berkshire County has historically had high overdose rates but has seen reductions in recent years and that the county distributes naloxone at higher rates than much of the state.

Next steps: the exhibit opens March 13 and the coalition seeks municipal engagement for forums on recovery and housing; councilors were encouraged to attend and share dates with constituents.