Division of Substance Use Prevention
Building healthier communities by preventing harm, promoting well-being, and strengthening conditions that help people thrive.
About the Prevention Division
The Prevention Division works to improve health and well-being before problems become crises.
Through education, outreach, community engagement, harm reduction, and evidence-based public health strategies, we work to reduce risk factors, strengthen protective factors, and support healthier outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
Prevention is more than avoiding negative outcomes. It is about creating the conditions that allow people to live healthy, safe, connected, and fulfilling lives.
Our Work
The Prevention Division addresses a range of public health issues through community-based prevention initiatives, education, partnerships, and public health programs.
Current areas of focus include:
Substance use prevention
Harm reduction
Youth development and engagement
Community education
Health promotion
As community needs evolve, the division continues to explore innovative approaches that improve health and address emerging public health challenges.
Our programs include:
Hampshire HOPE is a multi-sector coalition addressing the rise in prescription opioid misuse, heroin use, addiction, and overdose death in the Hampshire County region, through policy, practice, and systems change. Visit the HOPE Website to learn more!
DART (Drug Addiction Recovery Team) prevents opioid overdose and other substance misuse through personal connection, harm reduction, referral to treatment resources, and family support. Visit the DART Website to learn more!
DART HOTLINE: 413-588-2335
Northampton Youth Health Coalition (NYHC) - Working together to reduce teen substance use we offer resources to help keep Northampton teens substance-free. Stay current by following the NYHC Facebook Page to learn more!
Division of Community Care - The DCC aims to offer support to individuals that have experienced or are currently experiencing difficult, challenging, and traumatic circumstances in their lives. The DCC is focused on assisting people in the community with addressing racial and social inequities, concerns, identifying and accessing resources to help meet their needs, and provide ongoing support. Visit their website to learn more!
Prevention in Action
Current initiatives, campaigns, trainings, events.
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Partnerships & Resources
Prevention is most effective when communities work together.
The Prevention Division collaborates with schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, municipalities, and residents to improve health outcomes and strengthen community well-being.
Contact US
The Northampton Division of Substance Use Prevention can be reached at dhhs-prevents@northamptonma.gov.
For invidividual staff, please see our staff directory.