In response to the marked increase of opioid overdose deaths in the 2000’s, Winthrop joined with several surrounding communities to form the Winnisimet Regional Opioid Collaborative (WROC) in 2014. In 2015, the town hired its first two Peer Recovery Coaches to work in conjunction with the Winthrop Police Department.
The Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) Program was formalized in 2017 as a partnership between the Winthrop Department of Public Health & Clinical Services and the Winthrop Police Department. At the same time, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor through Boston Medical Center was brought on to offer additional support services to the community.
The team continues to evolve and is currently comprised of police, fire, and public health personnel who use police data to find and help people struggling with substance use, mental health, and domestic violence challenges. CLEAR remains committed to growing its partner network in Winthrop and surrounding communities to ensure accessible wrap-around services for Winthrop’s residents.
CLEAR uses police data to identify residents in need. The Outreach Officer then reaches out directly to individuals to offer help in overcoming mental health and/or substance use disorder.
CLEAR utilizes Resource Navigators to connect community members in need to resources to encourage housing, legal, food, and financial stability.
CLEAR's Peer Recovery Coaches bring lived experience to the role to provide non-clinical peer recovery support services to individuals in or seeking recovery.
CLEAR's Social Worker collaborates across the team to help connect those in need to appropriate resources to support emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental health wellness.
CLEAR's Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Case Manager provides crisis intervention, assessment and advocacy as well as referrals for safety planning and ongoing support in the community as needed.