For Immediate Release
Contact: Julia Keane 508-368-7226 or 774-530-1207
WORCESTER – The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office will be distributing 1,500 crisis bags to law enforcement across the county, which will be an essential tool for supporting children during traumatic events.
The distribution is part of the National Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Help, Hope, Support Crisis Bag initiative, a national program designed to assist children impacted by substance use and related emergencies.
“Children who experience trauma suffer long-term effects, including potential future drug use and involvement in the criminal justice system,” said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. “Our office is committed to doing everything we can to lessen the impact of this trauma. With these bags, we’re looking to remove the trauma, the anxiety, and the fears and tears of children in crisis. We appreciate our law enforcement partners, who are on the frontline when these traumatic events occur. We couldn’t do this work without them.”
The crisis bags are tailored to three different age groups: young children (ages 1-5), elementary-aged children (ages 6-10), and teens. Each bag contains carefully selected, developmentally appropriate comfort items, intended to reduce the psychological impact of trauma and provide reassurance. Research has shown that giving children items or activities to engage with during an emergency can lessen the traumatic impact of the situation unfolding around them. These resources aim to offer immediate comfort and stability in times of crisis.
Law enforcement and first responders will distribute the bags in situations involving overdoses, substance-related incidents, or other traumatic events where children may be present. By providing these resources at the scene, responders can offer critical and immediate support to vulnerable children in real time.
“The City of Worcester is proud to partner with District Attorney Early’s Office on this initiative to help support children during a moment of crisis,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “Preventative work like this is critical to help reduce the impact of trauma and its potential cyclical effects. These collaborative efforts are key to sustaining a healthy and thriving community and we thank the DA’s Office for its leadership.”
“These bags will be very beneficial for children during a time of crisis as they can divert their attention to something positive,” said Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier. “This is a wonderful opportunity to partner with District Attorney Joe Early on something that’s so important to the community.”
“As first responders we often respond to traumatic events involving children. This initiative is a tangible step toward supporting children involved in these events and the potential detrimental impacts on their future,” said Worcester Fire Chief Martin Dyer. “The Worcester Fire Department is happy to partner with District Attorney Early and the Worcester Police Department in this initiative.”
To ensure the bags reach the communities most in need, the distribution plan is based on local fatal and nonfatal overdose data. Worcester’s Police and Fire Department will receive approximately 400 of the 1,500 bags, with the remainder allocated to other municipalities across the county. This initiative represents a tangible step in providing much-needed support for children in crisis, ensuring they have the comfort and resources to navigate these challenging experiences.
