January 29, 2026 – Springfield, Massachusetts – Roughly 60 people gathered for the Hampden County Addiction Task Force (HCAT) meeting on Jan. 14 to listen to guest speakers from MiraVista Behavioral Health Center and Support After Death by Overdose, or SADOD.

Kim Lee from MiraVista kicked off the meeting, joined by Dr. Dean Singer on Zoom.

Lee provided an overview of MiraVista’s work, such as its inpatient mental health treatment and outpatient substance use services, and emphasized the health center’s accessibility, inclusivity, and community partnerships.

Serving over 2,000 inpatient clients and approximately 300 outpatient clients annually, Lee explained that MiraVista’s focus is on patient-centered, individualized, trauma-informed care.

She went on to say that MiraVista provides immediate access to care.

“When you’re ready, we’re ready,” Lee said.

The second half of the meeting was led by speaker Gabe Quaglia from SADOD. Quaglia explained that SADOD stands with individuals across Massachusetts grieving substance-related deaths and provides peer-to-peer support at all stages of the grief journey.

It supports individuals, families, providers, and community members, and meets people “where they are” in their grief, he said. All SADOD’s services and supports are free. 

According to Quaglia, 54% of Massachusetts residents know someone who died from overdose. He noted there were over 10,000 overdose deaths in Massachusetts in the last five years, and it’s estimated that 15-30 people were severely impacted by each one of those deaths.

HCAT is a collaboration of community resources, law enforcement (local and state), health care institutions, service providers, schools and community coalitions, individuals, and families whose goal is to focus on a countywide approach to address drug addiction, overdose, and prevention.