Welcome to our new video library page for opioid overdose prevention.  

The face of addiction, you may be surprised.  Take a moment to watch this 5 minute video of one young women.  The faces may change, but the story remains the same. 

Drugfree.org, Be part of the solution.  Addiction can happen to anyone.  Watch this moving 5 minute Utube video and remember, addiction has no boundaries and it can happen to you or someone you love!

Learn to Cope's founder Joanne Petterson describes  the risks, prevention tips and how to respond to someone who has overdosed on an Opioid in this video.  Learn to Cope came to Lowell in September of 2010 and meets every Wednesday night between 7:00 and 9:00 PM at Saints Medical Center, 1 Hospital Drive.  Visit the web page at www.learn2cope.org for further information as well as other locations.  You can also join the 24/7 live chat web resource in the comfort of your own home for support to chat with someone who knows exactly what you are going through because they have lived with the same or simular experiences.  You are not alone! 

Opioids For Chronic Pain....a professional presentation in February of 2010, was created for prescribing doctors by Dr. Daniel P. Alford MD, MPH the Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center.  "Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Risks" discusses how to manage patients with chronic pain and describes the fine line between need and abuse.  Community members will get a strong understanding of the dilemma doctors can face.

Not me...not my child...   brought to us by the Chelmsford Police and Health Departments in November of 2010.  This community forum was our first introduction to Melissa Weiksner, bringing her message to the community in memory of her daughter, Amy.  Chelmsford Police Detectives define opioids and what to look for to determine if someone in your family is facing this issue. 

Lowell High School Community Forum to Prevent Opioid Overdoses.   This forum in April of 2011, was created to mirror the Chelmsford forum for the Lowell Community includes Melissa Weiksner,  Lowell Police , and information on what the legislation is doing to combat the problem.   

Addiction Resources expands on the answer and questions segment at the end of  the Lowell High School April 2011 forum. 

"Clear and Present Danger" community forum in October of 2009, introduced us to Brian Sullivan bringing his message to the community in memory of his son Colm.  Hear from the City Manager, District Attorney and Representative Tom Golden. 

Tewksbury Hospital Community forum, our first forum with Middlesex Community College in September of 2009, was created to bring awareness to the problem. 

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WCAP Chamber of Commerce "Business Lunch" 9/15/2011 interview with Maria Ruggiero, the City of Lowell's Health Educator. 

  Short Videos of the reality of Opioid (Opiate) Overdose and abuse. 

We are pleased to work with the students of the Community Health and Sustainability department at the University of Massachusetts--Lowell.  Each semester, as part of his or her service learning project, we provide assignments relevant to our current missions in the community.  As part of the Opioid Overdose Prevention mission, two videos have been created.  "Medications and Sharps Disposal" and "Opioid Overdose: A Hidden Danger".   

If you would like a DVD copy of one or both of the videos, please e-mail cconnolly@lowellma.gov  phone 978-674-1066 or mruggiero@lowellma.gov phone 978-674-1076. Please provide a mailing address and DVD(s) will be mailed.