Our Mission

To prevent death from opioid overdose by engaging a network of first responders, recovery coaches, and harm reduction specialists who support individuals and families.

Who We Are?

DART is made up of specially trained recovery coaches, harm reduction specialists, clinicians, public health professionals, and first responders like police officers in Hampshire and Hampden counties. DART is not a recovery “only” program. Instead, it uses the principles of harm reduction to keep people who use drugs as safe as they can be, while also providing advocacy and support for all pathways to recovery. DART can also serve family members impacted by drug use, supporting them to understand and access available resources, services and support for themselves, and the family member who is using substances.

How We Help

Team members provide access to harm reduction tools like Narcan to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. They also help individuals follow “safe use” plans, which emphasize telling others when they are using so they won’t be alone if they overdose.

DART also connects participants with treatment, recovery support, and harm reduction services and resources, like medication-assisted treatment, needle exchange, support groups, and even transportation for appointments and basic needs. Team members stay in touch with people who use substances, or in recovery as well as their families to provide short- and long-term support. Participant information is confidential.

DART provides technical assistance to help municipalities and businesses support those impacted by substance use.

Why

When DART began in 2017, the community recognized a need for a free program to help bridge the gap in services that impacted people’s ability to use safer or seek recovery. DART strives to meet people and families where they are at. The needs of people with substance use disorder are complex and dynamic. Our goal is to be nimble in responding to those needs.

We believe in autonomy for people who use drugs, and we do our best to give them the help they ask for, with no conditions attached. DART is a safe place to explore what contributed to drug use or an overdose. We believe in eliminating stigma around drug use and lowering barriers to treatment and recovery.

We’re also working to close the gaps in service for people with substance use disorders between different organizations like health care providers, social service agencies, peer support treatment providers, and the justice system. We aim to be a hub for collaboration across the continuum of care.