How to help Holyoke decide how to spend opioid settlement money

HOLYOKE ― The city of Holyoke is turning to its residents for guidance on how to spend opioid settlement funds, inviting them to share ideas through a bilingual survey and two public forums.

The outreach effort is part of a broader initiative to ensure that money from national opioid lawsuits is used in ways that reflect community needs.

The forums are scheduled for Monday. The first session will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Holyoke Public Library, Community Room, 250 Chestnut St. The second will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Council on Aging cafeteria, 291 Pine St. The survey is open through Oct. 3, and is available in English and Spanish.

The city is encouraging the public, especially people affected by opioids, to attend these drop-in sessions where residents can give input on the needs and priorities in Holyoke.

The city will gather public input to complete a community needs assessment and better understand local priorities about opioids, she said.

Both forums will offer snacks and door prizes. Spanish interpretation will be available, and the locations are handicapped-accessible and served by free PVTA bus routes.

The bilingual survey is available through a single link until Oct. 3. Ten participants will be randomly selected to receive prizes, which will be announced at a public meeting on Nov. 3. Winners do not need to be present to claim their prize.

The survey is also accessible via Facebook and the city's website at holyoke.org/opioid-response.

People without internet access can call 413-322-5610 to take the survey over the phone.

Read the original article on MassLive .