21 February 2024 – Haverhill, Massachusetts – Eammon’s Heart Foundation for Recovery and Prevention, in collaboration with Haverhill Police, Pridestar Trinity EMS, announces the launch of a community-wide initiative, the PEACE Project, aimed at combating the opioid crisis through Narcan distribution. This pioneering effort underscores the power of public, private, and non-profit partnerships in addressing public health challenges.

The PEACE Project: Empowering Communities Against Opioid Overdoses

The PEACE Project seeks to empower communities by educating and supporting families and individuals facing substance use disorders. This initiative will provide essential resources and training to prevent overdoses, offering hope and support to those in need. By equipping community members with lifesaving Narcan kits and the knowledge to use them, the PEACE Project aims to significantly reduce the tragic loss of life associated with substance misuse.

Statements from Our Partners

Haverhill Chief of Police, Robert Pistone, remarked, “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to safeguarding our community from the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic. We are determined to make a difference through education, support, and direct action.”

Senior Vice President Corporate Strategies John Chemley of Pridestar Trinity EMS shared, “By joining forces with Eammon’s Heart and the Haverhill Police, we are not just responding to emergencies; we are working to prevent them. Our goal is to see a community that is educated on the uses and availability of Narcan as well as continuing efforts to support those families or individuals who are battling the addiction of opioids.”

Founder of Eammon’s Heart Helen Sheehan, the driving force behind this partnership and the provision of all Narcan kits, stated, “Our mission is clear – to drive opioid-related deaths to ZERO in Haverhill and beyond. By equipping individuals and families with Narcan, we are taking a significant step towards realizing this vision.”

Narcan: A Lifesaving Intervention: Narcan (naloxone) is a critical tool in reversing opioid overdoses, and its availability and accessibility can mean the difference between life and death. Through the Leave Behind Narcan program, emergency responders from Pridestar Trinity EMS will carry Narcan kits on calls, leaving them with individuals at risk of overdose or their caregivers, ensuring that this lifesaving medication is within reach when most needed.

This initiative is a collaboration between Eammon’s Heart Foundation for Recovery and Prevention, a non-profit dedicated to combating substance use disorders, and Pridestar Trinity EMS, a leader in emergency medical services. Together, they are launching the Leave Behind Narcan program, a proactive approach to increase Narcan accessibility in the community.

The partnership and the Leave Behind Narcan program promise to make a significant impact in communities affected by opioid misuse. By empowering individuals to act in an overdose situation, this initiative not only saves lives but also fosters a community of care and support.

The collaboration between Eammon’s Heart Foundation for Recovery and Prevention and Pridestar Trinity EMS is a monumental step forward in the fight against the opioid crisis. The Leave Behind Narcan program is a beacon of hope, demonstrating a shared commitment to saving lives and promoting recovery within communities.

About Eammon’s Heart Foundation 

Eammon’s Heart Foundation for Recovery and Prevention is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the substance misuse and overdose cycle through education, prevention, and support. Inspired by the life of Eammon Sheehan, whose passing from an overdose in 2019 galvanized our mission, we work to foster resilience, hope, and healing in communities affected by addiction. By offering access to evidence-based treatments, promoting mental health well-being, and advocating for harm reduction strategies, Eammon’s Heart stands as a beacon of change, inviting individuals and communities to join in creating a future free from the impact of substance use disorders. For more information, visit https://eammonsheart.com.

For more information about Pridestar Trinity EMS, please visit https://pridestartrinity.com.

For more information about Haverhill Police, please visit https://www.haverhillpolice.com.

For more information about the opioid crisis, visit:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Guidelines on opioid overdose prevention.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Information on opioid misuse and harm reduction strategies.
• American Medical Association (AMA) – Resources on public health initiatives and partnerships in addressing substance use disorders.