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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Dalton Redevelopment Authority Seeks to Attract Veterinarian

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Redevelopment Authority is looking at revamping zoning to make it easier for a veterinarian to open an office. 
 
This was prompted by resident Kevin Herkelman, an animal nutritionist who worked with veterinarians before retiring and moving to the area about a year ago.
 
He and his wife have many animals and found that area vet offices weren't accepting new patients or were booked out for a long time.
 
"When we moved here, we were looking for a vet. We have five dogs and a cat. I used to show dogs and things like that. When we tried to find a vet, we had a hard time even finding people taking new clients. So we ended up going over to Northampton. That's where we still are," he told a recent meeting of the authority.
 
He said it's more difficult to have to travel far, and even if residents have a veterinarian, it's likely in Pittsfield so they have to leave town. 
 
Currently a veterinary office is only allowed in a B1, R1, or I1 zone and must be 100 feet from a boundary.
 
Herkelman and Chair John Boyle have been looking for a suitable location to entice a vet to come to the area but zoning has been an issue as it is very restrictive. 
 
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