Newsletter Signup
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
Local News
The country’s first state-regulated overdose prevention center, where people can use pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of health and recovery professionals, will be opening in Rhode Island this summer.
The more than 20,000 square foot space will be at 45 Willard Ave. near the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, according to the organization running the center. There, the drugs will be tested for fentanyl and other substances, and professionals will be on-hand to prevent and reverse overdoses, advocacy group Project Weber/RENEW said.
The controversial centers, made possible by a 2021 law in Rhode Island, are illegal on a federal level. Rhode Island’s center will have a two-year pilot before the law “sunsets” in 2026, allowing time to evaluate the center’s operations, funded by opioid settlement funds.
Rhode Island had more than 400 overdose deaths in 2021 and 2022, which Gov. Dan McKee called a “crisis” level.
Project Weber/RENEW is working with clinical organization VICTA at the new center to provide behavioral health and medical services. Rhode Island’s Department of Public will regulate the center, Project Weber/RENEW said.
The new overdose prevention center will offer services and supplies like food, water, hygiene products, naloxone, HIV and hepatitis C testing, and housing support, the organization said. The center, which will be operational on weekdays, will also provide laundry and showers.
Overdose prevention centers, also known as safe consumption sites, safe injection sites, or harm reduction centers, are new to states, but New York City launched their own privately run center in 2021. According to Project Weber/RENEW, their two overdose centers reversed more than 1,300 overdoses over two years.
“This overdose prevention center is a pivotal element in the state’s comprehensive efforts to combat this crisis,” Executive Director of Project Weber/RENEW Colleen Daley Ndoye said in a release. “It’s imperative to take decisive action to save lives.”
The state’s Department of Public Health released an overdose prevention center feasibility report in December that advocated for the implementation of centers in Massachusetts.
Opioid-related overdose deaths remained at a record high in Massachusetts last year, with an average 3% increase each year since 2015, new data from the Department of Public Health showed.
In 2022, 2,359 people died because of opioid-related overdose deaths, and the figure in 2023 is projected to be the same, DPH said. The same data shows that fentanyl was present in 93% of deaths in both years.
Internationally, these centers have existed for more than 30 years, and no overdose death has ever been recorded at one, the report said.
“Overdose deaths are preventable. Despite significant investment in harm reduction services, the Commonwealth continues to observe missed opportunities to adequately engage people who use drugs, meet their needs, and prevent fatal overdoses, with devastating impacts to our residents,” The report said. “Establishing OPCs would enable the Commonwealth to reach individuals who may not otherwise be accessing healthcare services, reduce disease transmission, and prevent deaths.”
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
Southern New England hasn’t even finished digging out of over a foot of snow that dropped Sunday into Monday without talks of a significant storm possible in the coming days.
According to the National Weather Service, periods of light to moderate snow continue behind
low pressure as it pulls offshore Monday.
The surface low is well into the north Atlantic by noon today and the expected dry slot has moved overhead shutting off efficient snow making. So, while lingering wrap around moisture will continue to produce light snow across the region today, lack of moisture and the strong forcing that we saw on Sunday will mean much less in the way of additional snowfall today. Overall, expecting 1-2 inches in inland Southern New England with 2-5 inches more likely as you get closer to the extreme eastern and northeastern MA coastline. This is where NE wind
trajectory off the water together with convergence ahead of a front late in the day will lead to a pickup in snow coverage by the afternoon/evening.
After Monday, abnormally cold and mostly dry air enters with yet another storm possible off the coast next weekend.
Quiet weather then follows our active start to the week as dry, abnormally cold NW flow lingers overhead most of the week. Temperatures remain well below normal each day. Normal
highs/lows for late January are in the mid 30s and low 20s respectively; we are forecasting highs in the teens and 20s with lows in the single digits thanks to an anomalously cold airmass
overhead. A few shortwaves rounding the broader trough could bring some flurries off and on but on the whole, things look dry. The National Weather Service continues to monitor a potential storm off the coast toward next weekend. Can we make it 3 Sunday coastal storms in a row? We`ll see!
Rhode Island Rams (12-8, 3-4 A-10) at Dayton Flyers (14-6, 5-2 A-10)
Dayton, Ohio; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Rhode Island plays Dayton after Jahmere Tripp scored 23 points in Rhode Island’s 74-65 win against the George Mason Patriots.
The Flyers have gone 10-1 at home. Dayton is fifth in the A-10 in team defense, giving up 68.7 points while holding opponents to 42.7% shooting.
The Rams have gone 3-4 against A-10 opponents. Rhode Island averages 72.2 points while outscoring opponents by 5.3 points per game.
Dayton is shooting 44.9% from the field this season, 1.5 percentage points higher than the 43.4% Rhode Island allows to opponents. Rhode Island has shot at a 45.6% clip from the field this season, 2.9 percentage points higher than the 42.7% shooting opponents of Dayton have averaged.
The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams in conference play.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jordan Derkack is averaging 8.1 points and 3.1 assists for the Flyers. Javon Bennett is averaging 16.9 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 34.0% over the last 10 games.
Jonah Hinton is scoring 14.1 points per game with 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Rams. Tyler Cochran is averaging 11.9 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 41.7% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 7-3, averaging 74.1 points, 31.1 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 9.6 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.4 points per game.
Rams: 5-5, averaging 67.8 points, 29.1 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.1 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Miami’s Carson Beck turns heads with stunning admission about attending classes as college athlete
Illinois school closings tomorrow: How to check if your school is closed due to extreme cold
Sean McDermott Should Be Steelers Next Head Coach
Nick Fuentes & Andrew Tate Party to Kanye’s Banned ‘Heil Hitler’
Rare ‘avalanche’ blocks Pennsylvania road during major snowstorm
Miami star throws punch at Indiana player after national championship loss
Northeast Ohio cities dealing with rock salt shortage during peak of winter season
‘It is scary’: Oak-killing beetle reaches Ventura County, significantly expanding range