Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 14, 2026 Malden’s continued vigilance results in significant declines in overdoses and fatalities Special to The Advocate n a world where bad news often dominates the headlines, some of the most important success stories often go unnoticed. One such story is unfolding in Malden, where a coordinated community effort is helping to reduce overdoses, save lives and connect residents to critical support services. Since its establishment in 2021, Mayor Gary Christenson’s Advisory Opioid Task Force (Opioid Task Force) has served as the driving force behind a comprehensive strategy to address substance use disorder and support recovery throughout Malden. Bringing together public safety officials, healthcare providers, recovery advocates, community organizations and residents, the Opioid Task Force has helped create a model of collabI oration that is producing measurable results. The table below demonstrates the results Malden is getting. Contributing to these numbers, and among the Opioid Task Force’s most successful initiatives, is Malden Cares — developed under the leadership of Malden’s Department of Health & Human Services Addiction Recovery Resource Specialist Paul Hammersley. What began as an innovative outreach effort has grown into a citywide network of support that meets people where they are and connects them with the resources they need. Over the past several years, Malden Cares has helped send more than 200 individuals to treatment programs while embracing a “whole-person” approach to recovery. Malden Cares is dedicated to connecting individuals and families affected by substance use disorder with treatment, recovery support and essential community resources. Through recovery coaching, street outreach and partnerships with local organizations, Malden Cares works to reduce overdose deaths and strengthen pathways to recovery throughout Malden. In adThe numbers below represent an overall 72.7% decrease in overdoses and an 87.5% decrease in fatalities. Time frame Jan.-July 31, 2026 Jan.-July 31, 2025 Jan.-July 31, 2024 Jan.-July 31, 2023 Number of Number of Number of Overdoses 9 17 27 33 Fatalities 1 2 7 8 (Recording of medical aids began in 2024.) 11 9 – Medical Aids 4 dition to treatment referrals, the program connects residents with housing assistance, food resources, medical care, recovery coaching and other essential services that help build longterm stability. Recovery coaches serve as the front line of this effort, working directly with individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Their work has expanded through highly visible street outreach teams that distribute information and resources door-to-door, neighborhood-by-neighborhood and at locations throughout the city. Outreach efforts have included regular engagement at MBTA stations, along the Northern Strand Community Trail and at numerous community events. This work has been strengthened by substantial financial support from the Adelaide Breed Bayrd Foundation, whose investment has helped expand outreach, treatment access and recovery support services for Malden residents. The impact has been significant. Over the past two years, the city has experienced dramatic decreases in both overdoses and overdose fatalities. These improvements reflect the collective efforts of Malden Cares, recovery coaches, the Opioid Task Force and strong partnerships with the Malden Police Department and Malden Fire Department. “Addressing substance use disorder requires persistence, compassion, and collaboration,” said Mayor Christenson. “I am proud of the work being done by our Opioid Task Force, Malden Cares, our public safety departments, and our many community partners. While there is still much work to do, the progress we are seeing demonstrates what can happen when a community comes together to support recovery and save lives.” Hammersley noted that the success seen today is the result of years of dedicated effort by many individuals and organizations. “One fatality is too many. Recovery happens one person, one family, and one connection at a time,” Hammersley said. “The reductions in overdoses and fatalities are encouraging, but they represent much more than statistics. They represent lives saved, families kept together, and hope restored. This is not new work - it is the continuation of years of commitment by countless people who believe recovery is possible.” As Malden continues to build on this momentum, city leaders remain committed to expanding access to treatment, reducing stigma, supporting individuals in recovery and ensuring that every resident has access to the resources needed to live a healthy and productive life.
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