Introduction

The role of local governmental health departments in Massachusetts is to promote health and equity, combat disease, increase longevity, and improve the quality of life for all residents of the Commonwealth. Over the past decade, recognition of substance use as a widespread factor that impacts health, and LBOH staff have taken the lead in addressing the needs of people with substance use disorders. Opioid and other substance use and opioid-related deaths remain  critical public health problems in the Commonwealth. While opioid-related deaths substantially dropped for the first time in nearly two decades between 2023 and 2024 from 2,114 to 1,336, respectively, the number of annual deaths remains 2.7 times higher than observed in the year 2000.

This toolkit will prepare local health departments to respond to the opioid and other substance use in their communities. We know that prevention and interventions are most successful when they are well-matched to the needs and conditions of the community. This one-stop reference guide contains the information local health departments need to create and implement public health approaches that make a difference.