Norfolk is not immune to the opioid crisis

By Colleen Gundlach

It would never happen in Norfolk—not in our small town. But it has happened and it continues to happen. Jessica Listorti, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), has lived in Norfolk all her life. She’s seen firsthand what opioid addiction has done to the people of northwestern Connecticut and particularly in Norfolk. In this little town, there were six overdoses in the past twelve months.

In her position as a Nurse Practitioner with the McCall Behavioral Health Network in Torrington, Listorti works daily with people who have become addicted to opioids. She says, “At McCall, we see that for many the addiction was unintentional. When people are prescribed opioids, they may become dependent on them. When the prescription runs out, they might be cut off from pain management and turn to illegal sources.”

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, there were 1,452 unintentional deaths due to opioid overdoses in the state in 2022. Many of these were people who had been prescribed oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine or codeine after surgery, injury or illness. The use of these prescription medications often escalates into heroin or fentanyl use in many cases.  

In the Northwest Corner, organizations such as McCall and Greenwoods Counseling have been  positive forces in the fight to keep people from dying due to overdoses. Referrals to both agencies frequently come from the Department of Children and Families, the court system, detoxification facilities and hospitals. The agencies also find that many people are walking in on their own accord, looking for help. 

At McCall, Listorti is part of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) team. As an APRN, she prescribes medications such as Suboxone to her patients. These drugs help to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and to aid in relapse prevention. In addition, McCall’s Mobile Wellness Van travels to local communities five days a week, offering assistance and information concerning MAT alternatives for treatment. No appointment is necessary, and health insurance is not required. The Covid pandemic was one catalyst for developing the wellness truck. Before the pandemic, clients were required to come into the McCall office, but now they have access to mobile services that come to their community.

McCall is sending the van to Norfolk on July 14 for their Wellness Friday. “Some people are reluctant to come to the van because they think people will see them,” says Listorti. “In Norfolk, there are plans for the van to park behind the Battell Chapel to offer privacy for anyone looking for information and support. Please come and get the resources you need to be well again.”  The hours for the van’s visit to Norfolk are yet to be determined.

McCall’s approach to care begins with the understanding that everyone has unique needs. McCall recognizes that there are many paths to recovery. Their staff works closely with  individuals to create the most appropriate and effective treatment plan. 

“One mantra the McCall staff reiterates continuously,” says Listorti, “is ‘Never Use Alone.’  Fentanyl is being found frequently in the street drugs and is more and more prevalent. If you use drugs all alone by yourself, there’s no one there to help you if you overdose.” Listorti goes on to state that “in Norfolk, because the town is so isolated, the danger of an individual using drugs by themselves is very real.” Nationally, there is an overdose prevention lifeline, available to anyone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-484-3731. 

McCall and Greenwoods both offer emergency supplies, such as fentanyl test strips and Naloxone (Narcan), free of charge. Classes in CPR and in Narcan are also available. Narcan is a nasal drug that can be administered by anyone and is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. 

Greenwoods Counseling will send practitioners or counselors right to the home of a person in need. They also offer free Narcan and training classes. They can be reached at greenwoodsreferrals.org or 860-567-4437.

The McCall Behavioral Health Network offers virtual or in-person appointments for all ages—younger and older people alike. For more details, visit mccallbhn.org or call 860-496-2100. Their mobile MAT van is in Canaan every Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at 30 Granite Avenue; in Winsted, every Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at 160 Main Street; and in Torrington, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Trinity Church and 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Coe Park.