Looking back at a year of the Substance Abuse Coordinator

Over a year after the town of Dartmouth hired their first Substance Use Coordinator, Rachel Dzialo has made a number of changes that are helping to decrease substance abuse in town. 

During the Monday, Aug. 3 Select Board meeting, she presented what she’s done since becoming the coordinator on July 1, 2025.

She attended the National Opioid Settlement Conference, with other towns that received money from opioid distributors and manufacturers. These funds are used to supplement and strengthen resources for prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.

During the Select Board meeting, Dzialo presented her key takeaways from the conference: to best help people she needs to include those with lived and living experience and create a community-driven recovery ecosystem. 

Dzialo  started a number of programs to help reduce addiction and prevent overdoses, such as coordinating the installation of 13 overdose emergency kits stocked with Naloxone around town at key locations. These are town hall, the libraries, the Council on Aging, Apponagansett Beach, Jones Beach and the Maritime Center. 

Naloxone is an overdose medication, which can instantly reverse the effects of opioids. Dzialo explained that while there is a specific idea of who would need this medication, accidents happen. People who are prescribed opioids with memory issues could accidentally take more than prescribed. 

She also started programs to do outreach before addiction happens. 

Studies show that giving elementary age children opportunities to play and socialize after school can reduce the rates of addiction later in life. Dzialo and the Dartmouth Advocates for Addiction, Recovery and Treatment started a number of programs at the three elementary schools.

Dzialo also coordinated the first Feel Good Fair with the town of Westport. Over 50 people attended and learned about ways to focus on their mental health, such as yoga and a petting zoo.

There will be a number of free Naloxone training events held throughout Overdose Awareness Month. This will teach people to know when Naloxone is needed and how to administer it. These will be on Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Branch Library, Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Southworth Library and during the Overdose Awareness Day. 

Overdose Awareness Day will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Council on Aging from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Besides Naloxone training there will be a memorial ceremony and grief support and recovery groups.