Advertisement

City Hotline Now Connects Bostonians With Addiction Recovery Services

(Screenshot of BOS:311 webpage)
(Screenshot of BOS:311 webpage)

People looking for help with addiction can now access city services in Boston by using the 311 system.

While the 311 service has typically been reserved for filing complaints about potholes, parking tickets and graffiti, officials say it will now also connect people to public recovery services. Constituents will be transferred to representatives from the Boston Public Health Commission's addiction treatment and support program, PAATHS.

Brendan Little, policy director for the city's Office of Recovery Services, said he expects the simplicity of the new system to attract many more people.

"Even though there are so many resources in the city of Boston, not everybody knows how to access them," he said. "We have police officers or teachers or various community members saying, 'I don't know how to get help for my loved one, I don't know how to get help for myself.' "

An ad campaign will also launch Tuesday to help spread awareness about the additional Bos:311 service.

Just as a reminder, the mayor's hotline remains a line for non-emergency calls. In an emergency, dialing 911 is the best course of action.

Earlier:

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close