Impact of Providence’s Overdose Prevention Center on Drug Users

A nonprofit is opening a facility where people can use drugs under medical supervision. It also offers connections to drug treatment

More than 400 people died of a drug overdose in Rhode Island in 2023.
More than 400 people died of a drug overdose in Rhode Island in 2023.
Jeremy Bernfeld / The Public’s Radio
Share
More than 400 people died of a drug overdose in Rhode Island in 2023.
More than 400 people died of a drug overdose in Rhode Island in 2023.
Jeremy Bernfeld / The Public’s Radio
Impact of Providence’s Overdose Prevention Center on Drug Users
Copy

Jason first started using fentanyl a few years ago, when the pandemic threw his life off balance. By now, he’s used to hiding his drug use.

“You duck into, like, an alley, or behind a car or somewhere where no one’s going to see you,” he said.

The Public’s Radio is only using Jason’s first name because he uses illegal drugs. He knows that using alone, in tucked-away places, makes it even riskier to use a drug as dangerous as fentanyl.

“When no one sees you, no one’s going to find you if you overdose,” he said. “And, you know, I’ve lost a few friends, and no one’s found them.”

That’s the problem a new facility is hoping to solve.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

Executive Director Beth Lamarre shares how NAMI RI educates communities, reduces stigma, and prepares for the October 11 NAMIWalks event at Roger Williams Park
Other states created new oversight systems. In Rhode Island, officers still dominate misconduct hearings — and promised transparency measures remain unfunded
The libraries offer a slew of free programming every week for kids and adults at their nine locations around the city. We highlight a few of these events in this monthly segment – from a haunted house to a book club highlighting African American authors
Search for new cinema chain comes as mall is about to hit the sale market
The longtime North Kingstown lawmaker and House Judiciary chair enters a Democratic primary already featuring state Rep. Jason Knight and former AG policy director Keith Hoffmann, with others eyeing a run to succeed term-limited Peter Neronha
Major renovation planned by airport officials means creators of public art installations and boat displays must come to terms with change