Berkshire Harm Reduction Moving to Downtown Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) has announced that Berkshire Harm Reduction is relocating its Pittsfield office.

Berkshire Harm Reduction will move from its current 510 North St. location to a larger space at 42 Summer St., second floor, effective Monday, May 13.

The need for additional space has been prompted by Berkshire Harm Reduction's growth since it first opened in 2017.

"In the past several years, Berkshire Harm Reduction has grown in staff and services, providing care to nearly 50 clients each day in the Pittsfield office," said Sarah DeJesus, program manager. "We have continually expanded our program in order to provide this essential community service." 

Berkshire Harm Reduction's 510 North St. office will remain open on May 9 and 10, which are the moving dates, and the new office is expected to be open at 42 Summer St. on Monday, May 13 for its regular hours of operation. 

Berkshire Harm Reduction's mission is to reduce the negative consequences associated with drug use, such as the spread of infectious diseases. Berkshire Harm Reductions aims to mitigate health complications from substance use by providing comprehensive services to people with substance use disorder.

In addition to free sterile supplies, fentanyl test strips, and Narcan, Berkshire Harm Reduction offers testing, for individuals 13 and over, for HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections as well as basic wound care and abscess prevention. The program has also worked to provide cost-free access to Narcan through the placement of Narcan boxes in more than 60 locations across the Berkshires.

Berkshire Harm Reduction has two office locations, in Pittsfield and North Adams, and provides access to its mobile unit across the county, while also offering home delivery services for clients.

For more information, visit the Harm Reduction page on the Berkshire Health Systems website.

To connect with the team about supplies and services, call or text 413-822-6876.

If you are a community organization that would like to host a Narcan training or put up a Narcan box, contact Berkshire Harm Reduction at 413-822-6876.


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Adams Man Convicted in Murder of Stephanie Olivieri

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams man was found guilty in the 2019 murder of 32-year-old Stephanie Olivieri, a Pittsfield native and mother of two.
 
A jury found Tyler Sumner, 30, guilty on Friday of murder in the first degree and possession of ammunition without a Firearm Identification Card.
 
The trial was held in Berkshire Superior Court. Judge Francis Flannery will schedule sentencing.
 
"Today justice was served in the tragic death of an innocent bystander, Stephanie Olivieri; however, this guilty verdict will do nothing to bring her back," said Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. "Tyler Sumner murdered Ms. Olivieri while she sat in a car filled with gifts and decorations for her child's birthday. She was preparing to celebrate a wonderful event when her life was ruthlessly cut short."
 
Olivieri, who had been living in Yonkers, N.Y., was found sitting in her running car on Columbus Avenue when police responded to reports of masked men near South John Street and heard gunshots on the way.
 
The officers found Olivieri gasping for breath and blood running down the right side of her head. She was treated by emergency medical services and then transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead. The Chief Medical Examiner found the cause of her death to be a homicide caused by wounds sustained from a bullet to her head.
 
Multiple individuals testified that they believed Sumner was targeting an individual living in the area of the shooting and that Olivieri was not the intended target.
 
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