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Nashua 'Safe Stations' Drug Treatment Program Marks One Year Anniversary

FLYER

Officials in Nashua Friday are marking the one year anniversary of a drug treatment program – that they say has saved hundreds of lives.

Since last November, nearly 1,200 people have walked into Nashua’s fire stations and asked for help with drug treatment.

It's part of the city's Safe Stations program. It mirrors a similar program in Manchester. And like Manchester – Nashua has seen people come in from all over the state and country.

Assistant Fire Chief Brian Rhodes said overdoses have gone down since the program began.  And he said the feedback from the community and participants - is that it works.

“They are truly grateful – they can’t believe how welcomed the firefighters made them feel. How they actually talked to them and not at them," Rhodes said.

Rhodes said part of the reason the program has been so successful, is that fire stations are always open.

“When a person has that moment of clarity you have a very small window in which to get someone help, so within one hour of when they enter a fire station – individuals in Nashua are speaking to a licensed alcohol and drug counselor who kind of starts the process going," he said.

Friday the city is hosting an appreciation day at all the city’s six fire stations to honor those involved.

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