Substance use response and resources

The City of Dover has responded to a variety of substance use issues ranging from alcohol to opioids to other illicit drugs for decades. Since 2010, there has been a concerning increase across the country related to opioids.  As a result, the Dover Police Department has increased its efforts in this area while still continuing to address all other substances.

WHAT ARE OPIOIDS AND WHY ARE THEY A PROBLEM?

Opioids are substances that are used to treat pain. There are legally prescribed forms and there are illegal opioids. Heroin is an illegal opioid drug that is synthesized from morphine. It is a highly addictive drug that acts as a depressant and slows the body’s functions. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that can be legally prescribed in carefully measured doses but it can also be illegally mixed with heroin, or abused on its own. The potency of the heroin, especially when mixed with fentanyl can cause an overdose, many of which have been fatal.

For many, opioid addiction starts with a prescription opioid that is either prescribed to them or obtained illegally.

In the last few years, New Hampshire's Seacoast, along with regions across the country, have seen a concerning number of users and consequences related to use. In 2021, Dover experienced 12 drug deaths; in 2022, there were 14 drug deaths. More data on the impacts of substance misuse in the state, region and community is available from the NH Drug Monitoring Initiative at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/health-care/substance-misuse-data-page.  

For more information on opioids and other drugs, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/finder/t/160/DrugFacts

WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT THE PROBLEM?

The Dover Police Department and Dover Coalition for Youth (www.DoverCoalition.org) are committed to a comprehensive and compassionate response our community’s substance use challenges. We want to improve the community’s understanding of the problem and we will help anyone struggling with addiction to get connected with treatment and recovery resources. We have developed a comprehensive strategy to help address the challenges our community is facing. The plan includes:

• Increase Awareness: The Dover Police Department has developed a media campaign that helps bring awareness to the problem and attention to solutions. To learn more about the “If I’d Known” campaign visit http://dovercoalition.org/heroin-media-campaign/. 
• Reducing Access to Substances: The Dover Police Department will assist you with safely disposing of your medications or other drugs. At any time, the police department will accept unneeded, unwanted, or expired medications. Simply come to the police department and turn them in to an officer. Getting unused, unneeded or expired medications out of your home is one of the best prevention strategies. This service goes beyond the annual drug take back days which take place twice a year. On these days, members of the public came come to any of the hundreds of country-wide participating police departments and anonymously drop off medications to be destroyed. You may also turn in any unneeded, unwanted, or expired medications at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s 24/7 drop box in their main lobby.
• Education: We are working to educate the community about the problem and solutions to solving this epidemic. Presentations have been developed for a range of audiences including parents, students and community members. We have also conducted training for our first responders and employers in the area. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation contact Vicki Harris at v.harris@dover.nh.gov.
• Support to Anyone Struggling with Addiction: The Dover Police Department Social Work Unit serves individuals with police involvement primarily driven by behavioral health concerns such as substance use, mental health, poverty and housing insecurity. The social workers provide intense case management and referrals to identified individuals. The social workers consistently help people obtain identification and insurance coverage allowing them to access resources like shelters, detox, mental health counseling and primary care services. More information about the Social Work Unit can be obtained by contact Kaitlin Jones at k.jones@dover.nh.gov.

Opioid Abatement Trust Fund

In September 2021 the State of New Hampshire and 47 litigating subdivision communities, including the City of Dover, joined states across the country in the Opiate Abatement litigation award. The state legislature established RSA 126-A:83 Opioid Abatement Trust Fund of which the City of Dover will receive award dollars to supplement city-wide efforts to combat the opiate crisis for at least the next 18 years. Per the litigation settlement agreements, as well as guidance established by the New Hampshire Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, the funds are to be distributed under specific strategies in efforts to prevent, intervene, and assist with recovery. 

Based upon guidance released by the NH Opioid Abatement Trust Fund & Advisory Commission at its December 2023 meeting (oac-exhibit-e-final-distributor-agreement.pdf), Dover Police Chief Breault recommend that the City of Dover allocate the received funds to assist the City in combatting, assisting and mitigating issues directly related to Opioid Use Disorder.

OTHER RESOURCES: 

• The Doorway is New Hampshire’s coordinated access program for addiction services. They can be reached 24/7 by calling 211, online at https://www.thedoorway.nh.gov/, or by visiting our local entry point in Dover. The Dover Doorway operated by Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is located at 798 Central Ave and accept walk-ins Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• 988 is the national and statewide robust crisis response system for people experiencing a suicidal, mental health or substance misuse-related crisis. It can be accessed 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
• 211 is New Hampshire's statewide, comprehensive, information and referral service for residents to receive to the most up to date resources they need from specially trained Information and Referral Specialists. 211 is 24/7. Multilingual assistance and TDD access is also available. For those outside of New Hampshire, call 1.866.444.4211.
• Strafford County Public Health Network is countywide organization that works to build one integrated system of community members, businesses, and health organizations working together to address public health needs. They have an online resource guide that can be found at https://www.scphn.org/resources/local-resource-guides/

If you have questions about the department’s efforts or response, contact Lt. Alex Mitrushi at a.mitrushi@dover.nh.gov or 603-742-4646.