Dartmouth Officials Highlight Ongoing Overdose Crisis and Upcoming Awareness Event

Though death rates are declining, people are still overdosing and putting their life at risk, whether they're using prescription narcotics or drugs bought on the street. Dartmouth Advocates for Addiction, Recovery and Treatment (DAART) is working to remove the stigma of addiction and create more awareness of the issue locally.

Since September of 2025, Dartmouth has responded to 25 overdose cases, with two proving to be fatal.

Rachel Dzialo, Dartmouth's Substance Use Program Coordinator, and Matt Dansereau of Dartmouth Community Service Outreach visited Townsquare Sunday to discuss their mission, as well as a special program happening August 27 at the Council on Aging building on Dartmouth Street.

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"Substance abuse is still a problem for many individuals and families in all communities," Dzialo said. "We've seen progress in that the number of fatal overdoses has decreased over the past five years. I think that's because of an outpouring of community support and outreach from local organizations."

"Also, the opioid settlement funds created a unique opportunity to invest in the crisis and minimize the number of fatalities, but that doesn't mean that people aren't still  struggling out there," she said.

Investing Opioid Settlement Funds Into Local Prevention

Through the year 2038, Dartmouth will receive $2.1 million from the Opioid Settlement Fund. Funding has already been used to expand after-school programming in elementary schools. "It is a prevention based initiative to support the  youngest members of our community with a variety of activities, from book clubs to sports," Dzialo said.

DAART via Facebook

Upcoming International Overdose Awareness Day Event in Dartmouth

DAART will also mark International Overdose Awareness Day with a program on the 27th at the Council on Aging building on Dartmouth Street. The program runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the public is invited.

"We're highlighting the legacies of individuals we have lost over the past year, as well as people who have been touched by non-fatal overdoses and are continuing their journey with addiction or recovery," Dansereau said.

Naloxone Training, Grief Support, and Community Resources

Drop-in naloxone training will be offered along with grief support and recovery support groups.

"It's an opportunity for the community to come together and support one another," Dzialo said. "We want to show that Dartmouth supports all of its residents and the experiences they've been through. "

More information can be found on the Town of Dartmouth website.

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