Barnstable County Department of Human Services (BCDHS) has received funding from BSAS since 2015 through SAPC and MOAPC grants to address youth substance use and opioid overdose and fatalities. BCDHS has provided strategic planning, technical assistance/data analysis, and sub-grantee funding new and existing town coalitions and has supported and serves on new coalitions (e.g. Cape Cod Alcohol Coalition). MassCALL3 funding will allow ongoing support of the County’s town substance use prevention coalitions and will allow additional focus on assessing and planning for the needs of youth at disproportionate risk of first use of substances (e.g. youth experiencing homelessness, experiencing mental/behavioral health problems, LGBTQ youth, and racial/ethnic minorities). Support of community coalitions, provision of regional SUD-related assessment and analysis, and strategic planning and technical assistance to partners is consistent with BCDHS’s core mission: to plan, develop, and implement programs which enhance the overall delivery of human services in Barnstable County to promote the health and social well-being of County residents through both regional efforts and local support designed to improve coordination of human services.
Substance use has continued to be a critical community concern in Barnstable County. To examine the current impact of substance use, Barnstable County Department of Human Services (BCDHS) undertook a comprehensive community assessment in 2022 focused on substance use to:
The 2022 assessment builds on a previous assessment in 2014, both conducted in partnership with Health Resources in Action (HRiA).
Between 2021 and 2022, former Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced over $50 billion in nationwide settlements with pharmacies, opioid distributors and manufacturers. Of that, Massachusetts is expected to receive over $921 million, which will be distributed according to the Statewide Settlement Agreement.
Settlements have been reached with:
Distributors include:
Settlements with Purdue Pharma (manufacturer of OxyContin) and the Sackler family have been reached and are pending final approval.
Barnstable County Opioid Settlement Funds
For additional details, visit the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office announcement:
https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-campbell-helps-secure-74-billion-up-to-108-million-for-massachusetts-from-purdue-pharma-and-the-sackler-family-for-fueling-the-opioid-crisis
Questions about statewide settlements?
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Kaitlyn Shea, Health Director – kshea@bourne-ma.gov
Contact: Suzie Hauptmann, Human Services Director – suzie.hauptmann@falmouthma.gov
Contact: Gail Wilson, Human Services Director – gwilson@mashpeema.gov
Contact: Heather Harper, Assistant Town Manager – [email protected]
Contact: [email protected]
Contact: Lynn Carlson – lynnmcarlsonlicsw@gmail.com
Contact: Annie Catalano – acatalano@yarmouth.ma.us
Contact: Daniel Syriala, Health Director – [email protected]
Chatham
Contact: Judith Giorgio, Health Agent – [email protected]
Contact: Carrie Schoener – [email protected]
Contact: Alexandra Fitch, Health Director – [email protected]
Collaborative initiative with Outer Cape Community Solutions (OCCS)
Contact: Alex Nelson – info@outercapecs.org
Mission
The purpose of the RSAC is to establish a communication infrastructure across towns, providers, organizations, and individuals on Cape Cod. This allows us as a region to identify and address gaps and disparities in the service system, maximize inter-agency collaboration and to maximize funding and resource opportunities.
Meetings & Workgroups: If you are interested in attending, please contact Kayla Champagne @[email protected]
RSAC Coalition Meetings
Meets the first Thursday of every other month from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM via REMOTE participation until further notice per Open Meeting Law.
For agendas or meeting minutes from previous years, email [email protected]
Prevention Work Group
Meets virtually on the second Thursday of the month from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Harm Reduction, Recovery, and Treatment Work Group
Meets virtually on the third Wednesday of every month from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
E-Newsletter
The Barnstable County Regional Substance Addiction Coalition E-Newsletter is the hub of timely information on substance use and related issues in Barnstable County. With a readership of more than 1000, the monthly e-newsletter reaches human service organizations, elected officials and County residents about upcoming trainings, funding opportunities, important community events and news.
Due to the vast number of submissions to the newsletter, the Department reserves the right to limit the number of times a submission is published. Email questions to [email protected]. To read earlier editions of the BC DHS and RSAC E-Newsletter, email [email protected]
Helpful Links
Below please find folders containing Meeting Agendas, Associated Meeting Documents (if any), and Meeting Minutes for the Regional Substance Addiction Council meetings. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact [email protected].
A Cape-wide media campaign sponsored by the Barnstable County Regional Substance Use Council.
A drug called medetomidine is increasingly being found mixed with illegal opioids, including fentanyl. Because it is not approved for use in people, its effects can be serious, and people […]
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The Towns of Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Harwich, and Orleans are joining forces to gather community input on how to use funds from the statewide opioid settlements. These Community Opioid Settlement […]
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The Barnstable County Regional Substance Addiction Coalition E-Newsletter is the hub of timely information on substance use and related issues in Barnstable County. With a readership of more than 1000, […]
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The Barnstable County Regional Substance Addiction Coalition E-Newsletter is the hub of timely information on substance use and related issues in Barnstable County. With a readership of more than 1000, […]
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Recovery Month reminds us that recovery is possible for everyone. A safe, stable home is the foundation for healing, growth, and connection. Looking for local treatment, support, and resources? Explore the Barnstable […]
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On August 18, 2025, the Barnstable County Department of Human Services hosted a gathering to honor community members lost to overdose. Families and loved ones placed purple flags of remembrance […]
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