Posted on November 2, 2018 by admin

SUFFIELD – State Representatives Tami Zawistowski (R-61) and Scott Storms (R-60) joined Community Health Resources (CHR) and command staff representatives from the Suffield, East Granby, Windsor Locks and East Windsor Police Departments and local officials to announce a new initiative to effectively address mental health emergencies.

The collaborative effort between the departments is made possible through a five year $1.65 million federal grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA). The goals of the North Central Co-Responder Team Collaboration are to promote diversion form the criminal justice system, strengthen officer responses, promote officer safety and reduce use of force, and promote community awareness of available resources.

Rep. Zawistowski commented, “The Town of Suffield and surrounding communities have been experiencing increased demand for mental health services related to emotional distress and substance abuse, and this includes our veterans. This grant would help increase the availability of crisis intervention and expanded community-based services through CHR for those in need of urgent mental health and addiction services, reduce arrests, promote better health, and potentially save those individuals and those around them from harm.”

“I am very excited to see this new collaboration between police departments in the region and CHR. Mental health and substance abuse emergencies have been increasing and impact all of our communities,” said Rep. Storms. “Over the past two years as State Representative I have been doing my part to shine a light on these difficult issues and connect people and resources by hosting forums on the opioid crisis, suicide prevention and senior depression. Local care providers and the Windsor Locks Police Department have been incredible partners in raising awareness. The resources unlocked by this federal grant and the new regional cooperation will make a real difference and hopefully save lives.”

The new collaboration will serve a population of over 34,000 adults in the four towns and add an embedded behavioral health clinician to assist the departments.

Posted on October 24, 2018 by admin

Friends and Neighbors,

This Saturday October 27th is National Drug Take Back Day. The Take Back Day is part of the DEA’s National Take Back Initiative to safely dispose of unwanted medications. There are opportunities to dispose of your unwanted medications in Suffield and Windsor.

Suffield 10am to 2pm

CVS Pharmacy 152 Mountain Road

East Granby10am to 2pm

Resident Trooper’s Office 7 Memorial Drive

Windsor Police Department Drop Box

340 Bloomfield Drive, Windsor

Available 24/7 in the Lobby

Help prevent over-the-counter (cough medicine, pain relievers, etc.) and prescription drug abuse by dropping off any unwanted, expired, or unused medicines, vitamins, or nutritional supplements. All medications must be in original containers, with all names crossed out.

**The service is free and anonymous, no questions will be asked**

No needles or sharps will be accepted.

Examples of sharps include:

Needles – hollow needles used to inject drugs (medication) under the skin

Syringes – devices used to inject medication into or withdraw fluid from the body Lancets, also called “fingerstick” devices – instruments with a short, two-edged blade used to get drops of blood for testing. Lancets are commonly used in the treatment of diabetes.

Auto Injectors, including epinephrine and insulin pens – syringes pre-filled with fluid medication designed to be self-injected into the body

Infusion sets – tubing systems with a needle used to deliver drugs to the body.

Connection needles/sets – needles that connect to a tube used to transfer fluids in and out of the body. This is generally used for patients on home hemodialysis.

Posted on October 18, 2018 by admin

WINDSOR LOCKS – State representatives Tami Zawistowski (R-61) and Scott Storms (R-60) co-hosted a program with the Bradley Regional Chamber of Commerce featuring two presentations from the Department of Economic and Community Development.  The presenter was Sheila Hummel Business Development Manager for the Small Business Express Program. The program is designed to offer businesses with fewer than 100 employees access to grants or loans between $10,000 to $300,000 for job creation, training or capital improvement. The second presentation covered brownfield remediation programs and was presented by Cynthia Petruzzello VP for Brownfield Redevelopment. More information can be found at www.ct.gov/ecd. Representatives Zawistowski and Storms shared that they were pleased to be able to bring these presentations to the Bradley Regional Chamber of Commerce and that audience members found the information valuable.