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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Pittsfield Firefighters Snuff Cellar Blaze

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters extinguished a fire in a West Housatonic Street in about 20 minutes. 
 
The blaze started near a dryer but the cause was being investigated.
 
The department responded to the call of smoke in a building at about 12:23 p.m. on Sunday. Upon arrival, firefighters found a light smoke showing from the front and back of the building. 
 
The found an active fire in the basement of the 2 1/2-story, wood-frame structure at 92 West Housatonic, which is being rented as a single-family occupancy.
 
Engine 1 crew advanced a 1 3/4-inch hose to the rear of the building, entered the bulkhead access to the cellar, and conducted suppression activities. Engine 3 crew conducted a primary search of the building. Engine 6 secured a water supply to E1 and Tower 1 ventilated the building. Engine 5 responded as the Rapid
Intervention Team for firefighter safety.
 
The fire was under control and extinguished in 20 minutes. At the time of this writing there were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported. 
 
Fire damage was confined to the laundry area in the cellar with the dryer unit, clothing, and household cleaning supplies sustaining damage. There was minimal smoke damage with the entire building being ventilated in short order.
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