Those left behind: In the aftermath of an opioid death, families find ways to cope

Those left behind: In the aftermath of an opioid death, families find ways to cope

Cara Moser and Julie Foster look at photos and talk about their daughters after a meeting of Harm Reduction Works in July at the Northampton Recovery Center. Both women lost their daughters to opioid overdoses and now are working to promote harm reduction practices.

Cara Moser and Julie Foster look at photos and talk about their daughters after a meeting of Harm Reduction Works in July at the Northampton Recovery Center. Both women lost their daughters to opioid overdoses and now are working to promote harm reduction practices.

By LAURIE LOISEL
For the Gazette​​

On a balmy Wednesday evening in late July, 11 people circled up on comfy couches and chairs at the Northampton Recovery Center for the weekly gathering of Harm Reduction Works, a meeting billed as an alternative to abstinence-only opioid recovery groups.

“I’m here because I feel compelled to be here,” said Cara Moser in a round of introductions. “My daughter died eight months ago, and I feel like it’s important to learn as much as we can about keeping people alive.”

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