Carl Alves

Walgreens is going to start selling the heroin antidote called naloxone, also known as Narcan. The chain announced that the antidote will be available without a prescription in at least 35 states, including Massachusetts. Carl Alves, director of PAACA, calls the news fantastic and necessary...

"We've got to do more." That's the feeling of the President of the Homeless Service Providers Network after a group of homeless people gathered outside City Hall Thursday Morning to protest the failure of the city's Emergency Shelter to open the night before...

The City of New Bedford has the final say, but organizers of the New Bedford Overflow Shelter for the Homeless tell WBSM News, they are gearing up to open sometime this weekend. Snow and strong winds are expected Saturday into Sunday here on the Southcoast...

The New Bedford Homeless Service Providers Network is streamlining the way people can access services to aid the homeless. As of December 1st, people in need, or those advocating for the homeless must call Catholic Social Services to get the ball rolling on services...

Governor Charlie Baker this week rolled out proposed legislation that looks to curb opioid abuse and treat those addicted to opioids. The legislation seeks to allow doctors to retain and evaluate addicts for three days and recommend long-term treatment, while limiting new opioid prescriptions to a three day supply...

Another sign that the opioid abuses crisis in New Bedford has reached epidemic proportions. At least five drug overdoses have been reported in New Bedford since Tuesday. Also, a 50 year old woman was found dead Thursday from an apparent overdose...

The chief sponsor of the Youth Court Program is hopeful funding can be found to keep it operating in New Bedford and Fall River. Carl Alves of Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction says the program joins with schools to bring youthful offenders before a jury of their peers who listen to arguments and decide their fate...

With the amount of fatal heroin overdoses on the Southcoast down, and the number of overdose reversals on the rise thanks to first responders, things are looking up in the fight against heroin and drug abuse. But Carl Alves, director of Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction says there's still a long road ahead...

The Drug Enforcement Administration is cracking down on synthetic drugs. DEA officials say a nationwide operation on Wednesday targeted the distribution and trafficking of synthetic drugs in roughly two-dozen states. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy says synthetic drugs, or designer drugs, pose tremendous health risks and represent a rapidly emerging threat...

The winner of this year's Sister Rose Award has been working in the human service field in New Bedford for more than 20 years. Carl Alves is the executive director of PAACA and member of the Homeless Service Providers Network. He was presented the award Thurday during the celebration of Community Development Block Grant Week...