By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Help and support to individuals with substance abuse disorders, their families and friends, are offered locally by the MetroWest H.O.P.E (hope, outreach, prevention & education) Center. Meetings are held monthly at the First Church in Marlborough. By partnering with many agencies and organizations that specialize in treatment and recovery services, they are able to offer free help.
Peer-to-peer support, inpatient and outpatient levels of care and referrals, mental health counseling, grief support, resources for family support, faith-based help from the Celebrate Recovery & Teen Challenge group are among services offered. Training in the use of Narcan to reverse opioid overdose is also available.
The H.O.P.E. concept was conceived and organized by a group of concerned citizens aware of addiction problems continuing to grow in the area. They include the Marlborough Substance Use Prevention Coalition; Hudson Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition; Rev. Kazimierz Bem, pastor of First Church; Marc Pena, lead Pastor of Grace Baptist Church; former Marlborough Police Chief Mark Leonard; Hudson Police Chief Michael Burks Sr.; Mayor Arthur Vigeant; and Councilor-at-Large Peter Juaire.
Outreach meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at First Church, 37 High St., Marlborough.