Around New England

Battling Drug Crisis, NH Fire Dept. Launching “Mobile Opioid Response Unit”

Bill Gnade

WMUR is reporting the capital city fire department is launching a new "mobile opioid response unit" that will follow ambulances responding to heroin-related calls in order to help overdose victims in particular find the treatment and rehabilitation they need.

The Concord fire department unit will initially be funded by a recently received $127,000 federal grant and will provide immediate follow-up care to those needing medical intervention for overdose. Until now, the report says, emergency medical service (EMS) providers have not been able to offer anything to patients other than immediate medical relief.

Around New England

Maine School District Reinstates High School “Harvest Break” To Aid Farmers

Bill Gnade

The Presque Isle (ME) school district's board of directors has voted 12-2 to reinstate a traditional autumn harvest break in the school year allowing students to help the region's farmers with harvesting their crops. The break was canceled in 2017.

Citing a shortage of entry-level workers in the region, the board of directors reinstated the break in hopes high school students will be able to fill the labor shortfalls that hamper farm production, particularly on potato farms. Underage students will need parental permission before working on a farm.

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