MASHPEE – The Substance Use Task Force in Mashpee marked the one-year anniversary of its Drop-In Night program last Tuesday.
The Human Services Department initiative provides treatment information, counseling, and education to those struggling themselves with drug dependence or their families.
“Anyone walking in who needs an immediate assessment can meet with a clinician and also can get a counseling appointment, touch base with people in recovery – maybe a twelve step program – and even get into detox within 24 hours,” said Gail Wilson, Mashpee’s director of Human Services.
Wilson said the successful program has up 18 treatment and recovery agencies that participate.
“The main goal here is to connect someone walking in to immediate help so that person does not have to make calls and sit on the phone in a precious moment in time when they are ready to get help,” she said.
Drop-in Nights typically occur on the first Tuesday of each month from 4 through 8 PM and feature between five and ten “recovery angels” offering support.
Task Force member Corrine Wickel said the program has seen tremendous growth over the last year.
“The programs that are here have done what we have set out to do and that is help more than one person access treatment and resources for substance use disorder,” Wickel said.
The program kicked off a move to a new location Tuesday at the Mashpee Public Library.
“We’ll be featuring different speakers each month and also at the library there is plenty of parking and it is a very visible location,” Wilson said.
The program provides free services for residents from any Cape Cod community.
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