Support Program Available For The Families Of Those Who Have Died Due To Opiate Overdoses

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announces an innovative, free, statewide support program for the families of those who have died due to opiate overdoses.

            This innovative, free, statewide support program will consist of three components: a three-hour educational presentation that focuses on the complicated and prolonged grief experienced by families impacted by these sudden, unexpected deaths; individual family follow-up for those participating families who would like additional support; and the development of an informal, statewide support network among these families.

            U.S. Attorney Tris Coffin described the motivation behind this initiative.  “We have had way too many families suffer the death of loved ones from drug overdoses.  The pain from this is something they experience every day.  I hope this group provides some small measure of help to grieving survivors and creates a network of mutual support for those who have suffered these devastating losses.”

            This free service is available to any family member who is interested in participating in this specialized program.

            For information or to refer families, please contact Aimee Stearns at the U.S. Attorney’s Office at Aimee.Stearns@usdoj.gov or at (802) 651-8261.