WORCESTER, Mass. - Overdoses hit home for Worcester Fire Deputy Chief John Powers, who lost his son to one nearly a decade ago.

"Keeping these people alive no matter how many times we have to try, no matter how much we need to fight is important because it's the only way they can get better," Powers said at press conference at Worcester County District Court on Tuesday.

And unfortunately, it’s situation many families are now facing. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early, Jr. says the pandemic was a major road bump in the fight against opioids and substance abuse, and the CDC is expecting a rise in overdose cases during those 15 plus months.

"People who had this disease were forced into isolation," Early said. "They also unfortunately were getting stimulus checks that for many were a trigger." 

What You Need To Know

  • Critical Incident Management System (CIMS) tracking overdoses in Worcester County
  • District Attorney Joe Early says the pandemic has caused the number of overdoses to increase statewide
  • 52% of people contacted through the program after an overdose accepted treatment

But Early says there is hope.

Law enforcement leaders from across the area addressed the opioid crisis Tuesday, highlighting the Critical Incident Management System, or CIMS. The program tracks overdoses and provides follow-up visits for people after the incident.

"The overdose survivors that were contacted, 52% of those people accepted treatment," Early said.

The DA's office announced the program in March 2020, days before the State of Emergency for COVID-19 took effect. Although just more than half of overdose victims accepted treatment, the DA says it's a start.

City Manager Ed Augustus spoke at Tuesday's press conference. Augustus said, "What you've done is you've opened the door, you've made the connection. You've provided an opportunity for that person when they're ready."

Early says he got the idea from the Plymouth County District Attorney after seeing their overdose numbers drop by 26%. Even after the last year, departments using it in Central Massachusetts say it's working.

"When people were outside of Webster having an overdose, we never knew. We were missing that opportunity to provide them services," said Webster Police Chief Michael Shaw. "Now with CIMS, we have that vital piece."

Deputy Chief Powers added, “We’re giving these individuals a chance to beat this addiction. I’ve never met an addicted person who didn’t want to be better.”