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Malden fire official outlines opioid response program, urges community support
Summary
Sam Garrison, Malden—s opioid risk coordinator, summarized the city—s opioid response program—s prevention, treatment referral and education work and urged reducing stigma; he directed residents to the Malden Fire Department website for resources.
Sam Garrison, the opioid risk coordinator for the city of Malden, told listeners that the Malden Fire Department—s opioid response program focuses on prevention, overdose response and connecting people with treatment and support. "We work to prevent substance use and respond to overdose and reduce risk of overdose within the community," he said.
Garrison framed recovery as broadly attainable and inclusive, saying "substance use can affect anybody" and "addiction recovery can happen for anybody and you're not in this alone." He said the program offers referrals to treatment options and support services and provides public education and overdose-response training so residents "are informed and prepared."
The coordinator emphasized stigma reduction as central to recovery efforts, urging conversations, support and encouragement for people to seek help. "Recovery starts with awareness, and it grows through support, education, and community," he said.
Garrison closed by directing people seeking help to the Malden Fire Department webpage at cityofmalden.org/fire for information about available recovery resources. He said the program aims to build "a safer, stronger community for everyone" through prevention, education and community support.
No formal actions, votes or legislative requests were recorded during the presentation. The remarks were a staff briefing and information for the public rather than a decision item.
