Opioid Response

📢 Community Survey Launch! 📢

Your feedback is essential to us! The City of Holyoke’s Community Needs Assessment Survey on Opioid Use Disorder is now live, and we want to hear from you.  This survey is your chance to share your thoughts on opioid use disorder, community needs and priorities.  People with lived experience including those currently using, in recovery or who have experienced opioid related loss are encouraged to participate. Your input directly helps us make wise investments, improve community response and better serve everyone!

🗓️ Available: September 3, 2025, to October 3, 2025

🔗 Take the survey here: SURVEY

It only takes 10-15 minutes, and the survey is available in English and Spanish.

Ten survey takers will be randomly selected for prizes and announced at the November 3, 2025 public meeting.  Prize winners do not need to be present.

No google or internet access?  Call 413-322-5610 and take the survey over the telephone!

Thank you for helping us shape the future of our community!

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Help Shape Holyoke's Opioid Response - Join Our Public Forums!

Holyoke, we need YOUR voice! The City of Holyoke is holding public forums to gather community feedback on how to best use funds from opioid lawsuits. This is a crucial opportunity to share your insights on community needs and priorities related to opioid use in our city.

Who should attend? Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate, especially if you've been affected by opioid use – whether you are currently using, in recovery, or have lost a loved one. Your experiences and perspectives are invaluable.

What to expect: These will be interactive, drop-in sessions where you can share your thoughts on various topics related to opioid use in Holyoke.

Choose the session that works for you:
Option 1: Monday, September 8, 2025, from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm EST at the Holyoke Public Library, Community Room (250 Chestnut Street, Holyoke).
Option 2: Monday, September 8, 2025, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EST at the Council on Aging, Cafeteria (291 Pine Street, Holyoke).

Important details:
Spanish interpretation will be available at both sessions.
Both locations are ADA accessible and conveniently located on PVTA bus routes (plus, enjoy free bus access!)
We'll have snacks and even some door prizes!
For more information, please visit holyoke.org/opioid-response or contact Alicia Zoeller at 413-322-5610 or zoellera@holyoke.org.

Let's work together to build a stronger, healthier Holyoke. We look forward to seeing you there!

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City staff continue to review other municipal surveys from around the state and to use the resource map to draft Holyoke's Community Needs Assessment Survey: Opioid Use Disorder.   It is anticipated that the survey will be released publicly during the first week of September.

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Need Help?

There is a Western MA Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Prevention Services Guide funded by the MA DPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services that lists many of the services available in the region.  It includes a link to the statewide website for treatment bed availability and the statewide HELPLINE.  These link are provided as a courtesy by the City of Holyoke.

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Resource Mapping

City staff have begun work on resource map to document the continuum of services available for community members affected by opioid use disorder.   The purposes of resource mapping are to gain knowledge of existing services on a local level, to identify service gaps (or topics where services do not exist or are limited) and to identify any disconnects that may exist between services and those in need of services.   The resource map has also been a tool to guide the development of the opioid use survey questions.   The draft resource map is available for viewing.   Please send comments or suggestions for any Holyoke (01040 based) services that may be missing to Ashley at sturgesa@holyoke.org.   For services that should be added, please include, at a minimum, the category, name, and website.

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Over 60 people attended the the Community Needs Assessment Kick Off Meeting on July 15, 2025.   See the agenda for meeting topics.  The meeting can be viewed on Holyoke Media's website.   Thank you to those that attended and to Holyoke Media for hosting.

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The 2025 Opioid Calendar details the key dates for the community needs assessment and distribution of the opioid settlement funds over the next few months.

The Opioid Fund Management Plan has been approved by Mayor Garcia.  It is a brief document that outlines the fiscal management of the program and guides internal operations.