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The Rumford Police Department is the host law enforcement agency for Oxford County in a state initiative to combat substance use through mobile response teams. From left are team members officer Ashley Rich of the Police Department, Glenn Gordon of Oxford County Mental Health Services and police Sgt. Tracey Higley.
Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times
RUMFORD A yearlong pilot program to prevent drug overdoses statewide during the COVID-19 pandemic is providing glimmers of hope, according to members of a local intervention team.
Gov. Janet Mills initiated Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone and Safety, or OPTIONS for short, last year. The Rumford Police Department was selected as the host law enforcement agency because the River Valley accounts for a significant number of the overdoses in the Oxford County.