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DKH Joins the Fight
Left to right: DKH Dr. Peter Neal, CCAR Recovery Coach Mary Gotlibowski, CCAR Recovery Coach Program Manager Jennifer Chadukiewicz, CCAR Emergency Department Recovery Coach Manager Jay Osborne, CCAR Recovery Coach Michael Serrano, CCAR Recovery Coach TJ Aitken, CCAR Recovery Coach Wende Cooper, CCAR Recovery Coach David Santiago, CCAR Recovery Coach Michael Heaven, DKH Director of Behavioral Health Kate Mackenzie, and CCAR Recovery Coach Katie Siekiera at the Townsend Emergency Medical Center Jan. 23 at Day Kimball Hospital. Courtesy photo.


DKH to join
overdose
victims with
recovery
coaches
PUTNAM — Day Kimball Hospital has partnered with Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) in a program that sends trained recovery coaches to Emergency Departments to serve individuals being treated for overdoses and who are ready for recovery. The recovery coaches will be on-call and available to assist patients who are admitted in the Day Kimball Hospital Emergency Department with opioid overdose and other alcohol- or drug-related medical emergencies by connecting them to substance use disorder treatment and other recovery services and providing transportation if necessary, all at no cost to patients.
“There’s no doubt that opioid addiction is a major epidemic. I’ve witnessed, firsthand, the sharp rise in drug addiction and opiate related overdoses and deaths,” said Dr. Steven Wexler, medical director of the Emergency Department at Day Kimball Hospital and national medical director for NES Health. “The causes of this epidemic are complex and combatting it isn’t going to happen overnight. Day Kimball’s participation in this program is an important step in the fight against the opioid crisis and other substance use disorders in northeastern Connecticut. The program is already exceeding my expectations in the short time we have implemented it.”
Recovery coaches are trained, skilled professionals who support patients, family members and hospital personnel, providing assistance to help people begin recovery or to stabilize recovery. The coaches have also recovered from addiction themselves, allowing them to serve as proof that recovery is possible and to better relate to and connect with those struggling with addiction. The initiative is funded in part through federal funds from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of a $5.5 million grant awarded to Connecticut through the 21st Century Cures Act to combat the opioid crisis.
Day Kimball is now one of eight hospitals in Connecticut who offer this program, including Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Manchester Memorial Hospital in Manchester, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Midstate Medical Center in Meriden, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, and Windham Hospital in Windham.
Christine Collins, director of Day Kimball Healthcare’s Family Advocacy Center and implementation coordinator for the CCAR program at Day Kimball Hospital, says the program provides an important bridge to services and a beacon of hope for those it serves.
“In our community, when someone is ready to access recovery they may find so many barriers that it feels overwhelming and may decide not to continue on that path. With this new program, an individual is connected with a recovery coach who can immediately assist in overcoming many of those barriers. A recovery coach will be able to locate appropriate programs, provide transportation and become a strong peer support. We are so grateful to be able to offer this to our patients as we believe they deserve the best opportunities to a better future.” Collins said.
 

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The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.
Feb. 23
Naomi Hyrzan, 39, Battey Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct.
Feb. 24
Amanda Catlin, 40, S. Main Street, Putnam; operating under the influence, traveling too fast.
Feb. 25
Kyle Pasquerella, 25, Cherry Hill Road, Pomfret Center; operating an unregistered motor vehicle.
Robert Kellner, 35, Green Street, Putnam; failure to have rear registration illuminated.
Feb. 26
Richard Calderone, 42, Woodstock Avenue, Putnam; disorderly conduct, second-degree threatening.
Feb. 27
Gary Lalumiere, 34, Maple Street, Putnam; second-degree threatening, third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, second-degree unlawful restraint.
William Macri, 30, Florence Street, Putnam; two counts of violation of probation.
Feb. 28
Julie Lang, 38, Woodstock Avenue, Putnam; third-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor.
March 1
Buddy Hachey, 28, Farrow Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct.
March 4
Tyler Angell, 23, Darby Road, Brooklyn; operating under suspension, traveling unreasonably fast.

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Champions
The Putnam Science Academy basketball team became national champions last week. Courtesy photos.

When Hamidou Diallo and his cast of high major teammates left the Putnam Science Academy campus last year many expected the Mustangs to take a step back from the national spotlight come the 2017-18 season.
With a younger and less experienced roster people were saying the Mustangs might be a work in progress. Those people were proven wrong as they completed a story book season that culminated in the school’s first National Prep Championship March 8 at Connecticut College.
The Mustangs earned the number one seed in the National Prep Championship after 24 straight regular season wins and a Great Atlantic Conference tournament crown.
The Mustangs earned a first round bye in the 12 team tournament. They awaited the winner of CBD Montverde (FL) and Scotland Campus (PA). In a hard fought game Scotland Campus earned a comeback victory and a date with the top-seeded Mustangs.
The Mustangs maintained control throughout the first half and built up a 19-point lead behind the stellar play of junior forward Akok Akok who ended up with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Scotland Campus (PA) would not go away as they mounted a furious comeback, but the Mustangs were able to withstand it and move on with a 88-82 victory.
The Mustangs would matchup with crosstown rival Woodstock Academy after they defeated Brewster Academy in overtime. The Mustangs and Centaurs would play a back and forth heavyweight battle that saw lead changes and an emotional roller coaster for all fans watching. Kyle Lofton (18 points), Josh Mballa (17 points) and Jose Perez (16 points) paced the Mustangs. The Mustangs were able to secure a 80-72 win in overtime and punch their ticket to the finals.
For Tom Espinosa and the Mustangs this would be their first appearance in the National Championship. They would face-off against perennial power and the number 3 seed Northfield Mt. Hermon.
It would not be an ideal start for the Mustangs as Northfield won the opening tip and had an opening layup in seconds. The Mustangs would trail by 14 at halftime and as many as 17, but just like all year the Mustangs would not go away.
The Mustangs started to mount a furious comeback that featured center Osun Osunniyi (27 points). Osunniyi was able to complete dominate down low with multiple hook shots and thunderous dunks for the Mustangs. Then with a minute left and down three, Jose Perez (16 points) sunk a three pointer from the top of the key to tie the game up.
Northfield would get the last chance with 5 seconds left in regulation, but Kyle Lofton blocked the shot attempt and forced overtime.
The Mustangs who didn’t lead until overtime would not be denied as Osunniyi continued to dominate the paint and Akok Akok (11 points) would knockdown a three pointer to extend the lead.
The Mustangs completed the comeback and won the national championship by a score of 74-66 and Osunniyi was named tournament MVP.
Shane Doyle
English Teacher
Asst. Basketball Coach PSA

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National Prep Bracket
The National Prep Championship bracket was released March 4 and the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs take the top overall seed for the 2018 tournament which will be played in New London at Connecticut College.