Berkshire Community Mobilizes for Harm Reduction 'Days of Action'

02:29PM / Thursday, October 16, 2025Print Story | Email Story

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.

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Dalton Board Continues Berkshire Concrete Permit for Fourth Time

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:20AM / Monday, March 02, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The saga over Berkshire Concrete's special permit persists as the Planning Board last week voted to continue the hearing for the fourth time.

Some movement had been made as the board agreed to close the public hearing and enter into deliberations, which means no further comments or submissions can be made by the audience or the applicant.

"I know everybody wants to get this done. I do too, believe me, but I think it's best if we review the information we have and the new information we have and make better decisions," said Chair Zack McCain III.

During the prior three meetings, the board asked Petricca Industries, the parent company of Berkshire Concrete, to provide updated, accurate, and clear plans.

Board members said they did not receive the documentations until Tuesday; the hearing was on Wednesday.

Petricca Industries' attorney Dennis Egan Jr. of Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP, said that assertion was misleading because the town electronically received the updated documents the prior week and the physical copies were delivered on Tuesday. Town Hall is closed on Friday and there was a snowstorm on Monday.

The board reviewed the updated documents, in addition to the overlay of the 1994 special permit onto the drawing submitted in October, which the board requested Berkshire Concrete create but didn't so a board member did it instead.

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