BCArc Awarded $1 Million Over Five Years

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Arc was awarded a five-year contract totaling $1 million from the Mass. Department of Developmental Services to support Berkshire County families whose members have an intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The contract funds BCArc to continue supporting more than 300 families in Central and Southern Berkshire County through a series of trainings, two support centers, networking activities, respite services, and help accessing the system of services available to them. 

"We appreciate the state once again recognizing the value BCArc brings to families of the Berkshires," Kenneth Singer, BCArc president & CEO said. "For 66 years we have been fortunate to be doing this work in an area where the disability community is embraced and integrated."

Some of the services will include:

  • Family Support Centers that act as a hub to offer a wide range of general family support and activities to families of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
  • Services to families to help identify and navigate resources—including financial options—locally, statewide, and federally. 
  • Other services include educational events and trainings, and networking opportunities for caregivers and individuals. These include support groups, recreational events, workshops, an after school program, Spring Break Camp, and more. For calendar of activities, go here: https://bcarc.org/upcoming-events/

"You can be sure that we will once again provide far more than the contract requires," Maryann Hyatt, chief operating officer, who oversees the program said. "Our rich relationships with the families makes the work incredibly rewarding, and we look forward to continuing to support every one of them."

 

 

 


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Kratom Products Pulled From Pittsfield, Statewide Shelves

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The state has put an emergency yearlong order on kratom products, and Pittsfield is working with retailers to remove the product from shelves. 

Last week, Director of Public Health Andy Cambi delivered an update on the emergency order that went into effect on August 28.  Also known by its chemical name and marketed with the term "7-OH," Massachusetts temporarily designated kratom as a Schedule I drug, greatly restricting sales. 

The formerly unregulated product has resulted in emergency room visits, poison control calls, and deaths.  

"Dependency and the opioid-like withdrawal symptoms are the major key health concerns," Cambi explained. "Liver toxicity, seizures, just a greater overdose risk when combined with other substances, and then the main thing is that this is not regulated."

He said that throughout the years, retail shops have reached out to the Health Department looking for guidance on kratom products and were notified that it is unregulated. 

"And for the most part, when they hear that, they don't sell the product," he added. 

Kratom is a leafy plant native to Southeast Asia containing naturally occurring substances, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).  It is marketed to relieve pain and can produce stimulating or sedating effects, depending on the amount taken and potency. Newer products contain highly concentrated or laboratory-modified compounds that can have significantly stronger opioid-like effects. 

Kratom products have been widely sold in smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations as powders, tablets, capsules, gummies, dissolvable strips, and in other forms.

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