Gloucester • Ipswich • Rockport
Charting a Course for Care
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Our Mission
Our Mission
The mission of the Gloucester • Ipswich • Rockport • Opioid Abatement Collaborative (OAC) is to reduce barriers to accessing opioid-related prevention, treatment and recovery services in our communities. Our approach is threefold:
By providing rapid cost of care relief, we can overcome distance and cost as a barrier to treatment and recovery.
By investing in recovery programs, coaching, and employment, we will reduce stigma and improve likelihood for recovery success.
By fostering a community-wide understanding of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), we will destigmatize the issue and encourage more residents to seek help.
About Opioid Use Disorder
About Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), a substance use disorder, sometimes referred to as “opioid abuse or dependence” or “opioid addiction” is a problematic pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress. OUD is a treatable, chronic disease that can affect anyone – regardless of race, sex, income level, or social class.
A diagnosis of OUD is based on specific criteria such as unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use or use resulting in a failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home, among other criteria. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Recent data estimates over 6.1 million people have OUD in the United States.
Our Funding
Our Funding
The work of the Gloucester • Ipswich • Rockport • Opioid Abatement Collaborative is funded by a grant from Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership, funded by the MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and powered by RIZE Massachusetts Foundation.
RIZE is an organization solely dedicated to ending the overdose crisis in the Commonwealth. Through its Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership (a public-private collaboration with the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services at the MA Department of Public Health), RIZE supports community-led initiatives that address the opioid crisis. Funding for this work comes from the Massachusetts Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF), which combines funds from private and public sources (such as settlement dollars from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, opioid distributors, and pharmacies).
Community Research Results
Community Research Results
To access the health needs of our three communities, Gloucester, Ipswich, and Rockport, Massachusetts, several studies pertaining to opioid use disorder were conducted with results available at the links below. Participants’ responses informed the OAC Collaborative of key barriers to accessing opioid-related prevention, treatment, and recovery services. With this guidance, our current efforts bring together a network of service partners and financial assistance to help overcome barriers to care and enable recovery success.
Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) Community Health Needs Assessment: In 2025, over 10,000 community residents and partners participated in 55 focus groups, 162 interviews, 11 community listening sessions and a health survey. This included BILH service areas of Gloucester, Ipswich and Rockport, MA.
Gloucester Health Needs Assessment Insights: Beginning in March 2024, the Health Department analyzed local and state data and conducted interviews with 28 leaders from 24 organizations, gathering 632 unique responses.
Gloucester Opioid Settlement Community Survey: Deployed in July 2024 and available in multiple languages, the Health Department surveyed the community on how to best spend the abatement funds, receiving 200 responses.
Ipswich Opioid Settlement Funding Needs Assessment and Planning: Commenced in January 2025 in partnership with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc., existing local and state data were reviewed, a community forum was held and a community survey conducted, receiving 195 responses. In addition, 23 stakeholder interviews and four focus groups were held with a total of 46 individuals.
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