Berkshire Community Mobilizes for Harm Reduction 'Days of Action'

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, over two dozen community members will participate in a weekend-long Harm Reduction "Days of Action" across Berkshire County. 
 
Volunteers will distribute lifesaving overdose prevention supplies, resources, and knowledge to residents in areas with higher ratios of opioid-related emergency 911 calls.
 
Members from Berkshire County public health agencies and substance use awareness groups will partner with community members to raise awareness of changes in the opioid and stimulant supply, particularly among people who use more recreationally. The initiative will also distribute naloxone and fentanyl test strips, promote reducing substance use alone, connect individuals with support services, and combat the stigma surrounding addiction.
 
Outreach efforts will take place in Pittsfield, North Adams, Adams, and the surrounding areas from noon to 4:00 PM. Participants will have completed a training session and will carry identification and leave-behind materials. This follows a highly successful Day of Action in May.
 
The "Day of Action" is in partnership with Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative, Berkshire Harm Reduction and Safe Spot. It aims to reduce overdoses and connect neighbors to vital resources.
 
Supported by a grant from Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership and the town of Hancock funded by the MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and powered by RIZE Massachusetts Foundation.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Audit Committee Sees 2 'Advantageous' Proposals

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city received two strong proposals for an independent audit and will evaluate their cost as the last determining factor. 

On Monday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee decided to advance proposals from CliftonLarsonAllen and from Scanlon and Associates, the firm that has audited Pittsfield for years. 

The city received two bid responses that members generally saw as equally strong. Some pushed for a new set of eyes, and some were comfortable with the knowledge Scanlon has built about Pittsfield over the years. 

They agreed that prices are an important factor and voted to advance both proposals to purchasing agent Colleen Hunter-Mullett so she can come back with financial information. 

"I think one was longer, but when I looked at it, I thought they both had in-depth information for us, and I really didn't have any issues with any of them, and I think they're both highly advantageous in that," said Kathy Amuso, who was designated to review the proposals. 

"… I contacted municipalities for both CliftonLarsonAllen and Scanlon, and no matter which one I contacted, all the CliftonLarsonAllen customers and clients highly recommended them, and the Scanlon clients highly recommended them."

She has worked with Scanlon through government since 2003 and, because both proposals were highly rated, doesn't see a reason to change.

"I think it's been pretty consistent. I think they've been good to work with; I think they found some issues that they worked with the City of Pittsfield on," Amuso explained. 

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