**Grant Would Support Regional Access Points for Cities with Safe Stations Programs**

**Nashua Assistant Fire Chief Brian Rhodes: The Nashua NH Safe Station Initiative is by far the greatest Public/Private collaboration that I have experienced in my 30+ year career.**

**Kuster to host Brian Rhodes at Washington, DC Roundtable**

Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, is urging the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support a grant request from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services that would expand regional access points in cities operating the Safe Stations Program. Kuster wrote to SAMHSA in support of the grant request, which is being administered through SAMHSA’s Opioid State Targeted Response (STR) Supplemental. In May, Kuster will host Brian Rhodes, Nashua Assistant Fire Chief in Washington, DC to discuss the Safe Stations program with members of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force.

“Innovative programs like Safe Stations will help lead New Hampshire and the country out of the opioid epidemic,” said Kuster. “Our state has been hit hard by this crisis, but Granite Staters are spearheading creative solutions to get people treatment and expand recovery, which can serve as a model for communities across the country. I strongly support the New Hampshire HHS grant request to expand treatment programs that are partnering with Safe Stations. The Safe Stations program is the type of innovative solution that we should be sharing nationally and I’m excited to host Assistant Fire Chief Rhodes in Washington to discuss this program with members of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force.”

"In my humble opinion, The Nashua NH Safe Station Initiative is by far the greatest Public/Private collaboration that I have experienced in my 30+ year career,” said Brian Rhodes. “Sustained funding is critical for our clinical providers if we are to achieve long term success.  To date we have accepted citizens from over 160 NH communities into our Safe Station Program.  As stated by many before me, this is a true public health emergency that affects countless people besides those suffering from a Substance Use Disorder.  I am proud to work for and represent a community that values action above words." 

The Safe Stations program allows people in need of help and addressing substance use disorder to go to a participating fire station to receive assistance.

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