Life Expectancy for Americans Decreased for Second Straight Year, Due to the Opioid Epidemic
The Centers for Disease Control recently released a shocking report about the decline in American life expectancy, a rate they haven’t seen since influenza ran rampant in 1962 and 1963, and during the worst of the AIDS epidemic back in 1993. In 2016, the CDC saw a staggering 21 percent ...
Get to Know Lisa Blanchard, Spectrum’s New Vice President of Clinical Services
At Spectrum Health Systems, we put great confidence in our employees. Through various educational initiatives and a supportive company culture, we’ve cultivated a talent pool of which we’re very proud. Lisa Blanchard is a shining example of growth within Spectrum, and we’re thrilled to announce her promotion to Vice President ...
Spectrum Health Systems on New England Cable News
You may have seen that opioid deaths are down in Massachusetts. It’s great news, but it’s not the whole story. To date, more than 1,400 residents have passed away from overdoses in 2017 and that’s still a very large number. Following the announcement of Governor Charlie Baker’s new plan to ...
Project Turnabout Honored with Award from Association of Behavioral Health
On Friday, October 20th, the Spectrum Health Systems team traveled to Boston for an exciting event – the annual Association of Behavioral Health (ABH) Salute to Excellence ceremony. This year, one of our residential treatment programs, Project Turnabout, won the “Excellence in Best Practices” award. As a long-time provider of ...
Get to Know David Nefussy, Spectrum’s New Vice President of Business Development
In case you missed it, we recently hired a new Vice President of Business Development, David Nefussy, to help Spectrum Health Systems continue to promote its mission while providing quality addiction treatment services amidst the ongoing opioid crisis. In addition to leveraging his relationships with managed care organizations, insurance companies, ...
Millbury Methadone Clinic Helping Dispel Neighbors’ Fears
Telegram.com
Date: 11/3/17
MILLBURY - Driving into the parking lot behind the nondescript industrial building at 50 Howe Ave., one would think that, aside from the two security guards, this could just as easily be a trip to the post office or hardware store.
Adults of all ages, dressed for work and going about their business one morning last week, stood politely in line just inside the door, waiting their turn.
Troubleshooting Training: How Three Programs Prepare Volunteers to Mentor People Leaving Prison and Jail
Justice Center
Date: 7/27/17
Staff at the CSG Justice Center talked to three reentry programs with promising training practices about their experiences developing and delivering training to volunteer mentors.
Training mentors to support the reentry population is not an exact science. For many reentry programs that offer mentoring services, the training of mentors is an ever-evolving process that can unfold in challenging and unexpected ways.
After three decades of drug addiction, Robert Brown finally got clean
The Roanoke Times
Date: 7/18/17
Robert Brown was on his way to see his heroin dealer. He was withdrawing and in a hurry. Not paying attention, he made an illegal turn. Blue lights flashed on behind him.
“They’re finally going to get me,” he thought.
As I See It: Recovery’s home court advantage
Telegram & Gazette
Date: 7/2/17
America is in the worst opiate epidemic ever, and our Commonwealth is among the nation’s hardest hit. There were 1,933 confirmed opioid-related deaths in 2016, per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Put another way, last year opiate addiction claimed the lives of 161 people each month, 37 people each week, and five people each day.
Radio Show Plays Role in Battle Vs. Addiction
Lowell Sun
Date: 6/21/17
CHELMSFORD -- There's strength in seeking help.
That's one of the messages Chelmsford resident Jodi Tarantino hopes to convey as the new host of Airing Addiction, a weekly radio program on WTAG 580 AM in Worcester.
Tarantino, a licensed social worker and program director of residential services at Spectrum Health System Inc.'s Charles J. Faris Recovery Center in Westboro, said she hopes to destigmatize addiction, treatment and behavioral health in general.
