Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Harm Reduction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dennis coalition to ask Select Board to allow outreach van parking and naloxone lockboxes
Summary
The Dennis substance-use coalition will ask the Select Board to permit a Duffy outreach van to park in the Dennisport lot and to begin installing naloxone lockboxes at town locations; committee members discussed likely installation sites and training from the department detective.
Chair called on members to support two outreach steps at the Feb. 3 Select Board meeting: allowing the Duffy outreach van to park in the Dennisport parking lot adjacent to the pocket park and approving installation of naloxone (Narcan) lockboxes in town buildings.
The Chair said Dennis currently has no naloxone lockboxes and that nearby Cape towns have installed dozens. "NaloxBoxes ... decrease stigma, and they allow individuals to pick up Narcan, and create conversation," the Chair said, urging members to attend the Select Board meeting to advocate for locations such as the Dennis Public Library and the senior center.
Committee members discussed possible public locations for the boxes: libraries, town offices, police and fire stations, changing rooms and some seasonal bathhouse facilities at beaches. A member suggested Johnny Kelly Park as another accessible site. Members noted some beach facilities are closed in winter and that placement decisions will need to account for year-round access and security.
A department detective identified in the meeting as Detective Anziano offered to provide Narcan training for library staff and other town personnel where lockboxes would be placed.
The Chair said the coalition will present the proposal to the Select Board on Feb. 3 and asked members to attend in support. The committee also discussed cooperating with lifeguards and seasonal staff to ensure trained people are available where boxes are sited.
Next steps: the coalition will present the consultant PowerPoint and the proposal to the Select Board and pursue permission for specific box locations; the committee will follow up on training logistics with the police department.
