Yarmouth volunteers describe opioid‑remediation awards and services from local committee Weissac

Co‑chairs of the Yarmouth Substance Awareness Committee (Weissac) briefed the Board of Health on April 6 about the committee’s outreach and its role distributing opioid‑remediation funds.

Annie Catalano, a victim advocate with the Yarmouth Police Department and Weissac co‑chair, described Weissac as a volunteer group of people with lived experience, first responders, treatment providers and residents that meets monthly at the police department and by Zoom. Catalano said Weissac reviews applications for opioid‑remediation funds coming from national and state settlement distributions and forwards recommendations based on project fit and impact.

Don, a board member representing Parents Supporting Parents, said recent awards supported an alternative peer group for teens impacted by substance use disorder, a town recovery‑support navigator program, a harm‑reduction aid group on Cape Cod, transportation for methadone clinic patients and scholarships for sober housing through Parent Supporting Parents. Catalano said Weissac formed a subcommittee to vet applications and that the committee prioritizes prevention, harm reduction, connection to care, treatment and family support.

Weissac encouraged residents to attend monthly meetings (second Wednesday, 5:00 p.m., Yarmouth Police Department and Zoom), review agendas and meeting minutes posted on the Town of Yarmouth website, and bring forward needs or proposals for funding consideration.