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Substance Use Disorder and Homelessness Initiatives
Substance Use Disorder and Homelessness Initiatives (SUDHI) Office
The SUDHI Office is launching its first podcast 'S.O.S. - Shame on Stigma'. Hosted by the SUDHI Office, featuring peers, law enforcement, and community leaders, it aims to break down stigma, explore multiple pathways to recovery, and highlight hope in action. Find the first season starting on March 4th on the following platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube
The City of Revere’s Substance Use Disorder Initiatives Office (SUDI) opened in 2016 to streamline the existing programs and increase the City's capacity to help those affected by substance use disorders. As a municipal department, SUDI oversees the strategic coherence of SUD-related efforts and manages the day-to-day operations of the work.
In April 2020, as part of the city’s overall emergency response to Covid-19, the SUDI and Veteran Service offices partnered to create the Covid-19 Emergency Housing and Homelessness Response (EHHR) Program to address the needs and challenges of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. To address the ongoing use, the SUDI office has evolved into the Substance Use Disorder & Homeless Initiatives Office (SUDHI).
We envision a community where every human being is treated with dignity and respect and is empowered to meet their full potential.
Our mission is to facilitate systems change that transforms the way we think about and address homelessness and drug and alcohol-related issues.
Our mandate is to provide subject-matter expertise and build collective capacity across and within multiple levels and settings.
CHECK OUT THIS NBC10 BOSTON NEWS STORY FROM OCTOBER 2024 HIGHLIGHTING THE WORK OF THE SUDHI OFFICE:
Post-Overdose Outreach
Our Post-Overdose Outreach Program provides comprehensive education, navigation, and support to individuals and families who’ve recently experienced a drug-related overdose. Our Harm Reduction Specialists and public health team members visit locations where a suspected drug-related overdose may have occurred and provide harm reduction education, overdose prevention training, and harm reduction kit distribution.
Street Outreach and Showering Program for Unsheltered Homeless Population
Our SUDHI Office does weekly street outreach for our unsheltered homeless population with our Harm Reduction Specialists. Our Outreach Hub location is now 123 Shirley Ave. The SUDHI Office has open office hours at 123 Shirley Ave every Wednesday from 10:00am - 2:00pm. For any concerns or questions please call our office at 781-629-4158.
Syringe Services Program
The City of Revere has been part of the Commonwealth’s Syringe Service Program since 2020. Revere’s Syringe Service Provider is Health Innovations, Inc. Health Innovations is a community-based organization that provides access to sterile needles and syringes, facilitates safe disposal of used syringes, and providesconnections to other services such as testing for hepatitis C, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections, overdose education, and Narcan (naloxone). For Syringe delivery, call 774-454-6326.
The SUDHI Office runs a weekly Healing Circle group at City Hall (281 Broadway) every Monday from 6:00 – 7:00pm. The group offers a chance to connect with others in the community who are dealing with grief or loss after overdose. Led by our SUDHI Program Manager, the Healing Circle combines the calming practice of meditation with the powerful energy healing of Reiki. Each session aims to promote relaxation, rejuvenation and inner balance.
Educational Services
The SUDHI Office is available to provide educational presentations to community organizations, businesses and other groups. Below are some examples of our educational programing content
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Harm Reduction Services
The SUDHI Offices practices and believes in the efficacy of harm reduction. To learn more about harm reduction principles, click here. We believe in non-judgmental, non-coercive provision of services to all people in order to assist in reducing harm to themselves and others. Through out Harm Reduction Specialists and our Office Hours we offer:
Connection to medical/mental healthcare and treatment in a traditional office setting or on the street if needed
Syringe exchange programs
Risk reduction counseling and supplies to reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C infection
Basic Need provision
Medication and Safe Syringe Disposal
Medicine and Prescription Disposal:
Medicine drop boxes are the best way to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription and nonprescription medication. Unused or expired medications can pose a risk to children, family members, and the environment.
Prescription Dropbox Locations in Revere
Revere Police Department - 400 Revere Beach Pkwy
Walgreen's Pharmacy - 430 Broadway
Stop & Shop Pharmacy - 40 Furlong Drive
Syringe/Sharps Disposal:
People use syringes for many health care conditions at home, including diabetes, allergies, multiple sclerosis, and more. The safe disposal of needles, syringes, and lancets (sharps) protect residents, City workers, and the environment.
Syringe Dropbox Locations in Revere:
City of Revere Public Health Department - City Hall - 281 Broadway, Basement Level
City of Revere Police Department - 400 Revere Beach Parkway
Seaside Pharmacy - 169 Shirley Ave.
What should you do with used syringes?
Used syringes and other sharps should always be placed in a sharps container and disposed of safely. If you do not have a sharps container, you can also place used syringes and sharps in a plastic water bottle which you can then dispose of safely.
Bring them to a drop-off site (see list of drop-off site locations below).
IV drug users can enroll in a Needle Exchange Program and participate in other harm reduction services.
What should you do if you find a needle outside?
Please call 311 and tell us the location of the needle or needles with as much detail as possible. Our team will find and collect the needle.
Data
(Updated 9/2025)
The data used for this chart is collected from mass.gov. It represents the number of Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths attributed to residents of the City of Revere for each year starting in 2016*. The blue column represents the actual number of deaths. The arrow and orange number to the left of the column represent the percent change year over year. A negative number represents a decrease in deaths from the previous year. A positive number represents an increase in deaths from the previous year.
*Of note- this chart reflects the total number of Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths for residents of Revere even if their death occurred in a different city or town. These numbers utilize data from the Annual Deaths Report at the state level.
Narcan Training for Businesses
In partnership with Atlantic Hill Nursing and Wellness, utilizing Revere's Opioid Abatement Funding, over 100 businesses throughout the City of Revere participated in our new Business Narcan-Training Outreach Program throughout the course of 2025. This program has three components:
Training local businesses on the administration of naloxone
Responding in the event of an overdose
Supplying an emergency overdose kit to each participating business.
In 2026, training continues for the business community throughout Revere. If your interested in training your staff on Narcan Administration or Overdose Awareness, please call 781-629-4158.
Community Events & Memorials
August 31 - National Overdose Awareness Day
National Overdose Awareness Day is a day to remember those we have lost to overdose and support the families and loved ones of those no longer with us. It is a sober reminder of the hope and resilience that exist alongside the grief of loss. The SUDHI Office commemorates this day with an annual Overdose Memorial Candlelight Vigil. We ask those who would like to remember their loved ones to come to the event to place a remembrance on our Overdose Memorial Remembrance Tree. See details for this year's event below.
2026 Overdose Memorial Vigil: Monday, August 31st at 7:00pm. Overdose Memorial Park (Corner of Leverett Ave and Broadsound Ave)
September - National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month started in 1989 and is observed every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible. The SUDHI Office celebrates National Recovery Day in several ways. We place purple remembrance flags on City Hall lawn and host weekly events throughout the month. Check back later for a full schedule. Our signature event is the Shame on Stigma Barbecue, see details for this year's event below.
2026 Shame on Stigma Barbecue and Speaking Event: Saturday, September 12, 2026 at McMackin Veterans Memorial Park. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please email csalemme@revere.org.
See pictures from past events below.
Treatment Locator & Recovery Services
General Helplines and Locators
MA Substance Use Helpline
The Helpline. A comprehensive and up-to-date statewide public resource for finding substance use treatment, recovery, and problem gambling services. Helpline services are free and confidential.
Shatterproof ATLAS. An Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform.
Power of Recovery is an addiction treatment center serving all of Massachusetts and provide various addiction treatment programs: Detox, Inpatient, Outpatient, Relapse, etc. Power of Recovery provides day treatment programs, half-day treatment programs, outpatient programs, and interventions.
Recovery on the Harbor is a peer-to-peer Recovery Support Center currently offering services in-person and virtually. ROH provides a safe, judgment-free atmosphere for anyone in recovery or looking to learn about recovery. They provide peer support, support groups, computer access, wellness activities, community resources, and nightly meetings for individuals 18+ with a minimum of 24 hours substance-free.
The Bridge Recovery Center (BRC) provides peer-to-peer recovery support for anyone 18 years old and up, using the center's volunteers and members to deliver services. Their Center offers a safe, stigma and judgment-free environment. BRC offers recovery support using volunteers and members as they pursue their own personal growth, utilizing their experiences to empower others, connect, and become active participants in their community.
The Boca Recovery Center provides care for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, combining advanced clinical programming with luxurious amenities to ensure a secure, comfortable, and lasting recovery.
888-325-6745
Support Groups
Learn to Cope
Learn to Cope is a Massachusetts non-profit organization that offers peer support, education, and resources for families and loved ones who have someone in their life experiencing issues with substance use disorder. They host weekly peer support zoom and in-person meetings, providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals navigating the challenges of loving someone with a substance use disorder. The meetings are free, confidential, and open to the public.
Naloxone and Overdose Prevention
About Us
(Updated 9/2025)
