As the opioid epidemic continues, police officers are commonly finding drug users overdosing in cars, libraries, in the bathroom of fast-food restaurants and, even, churches.
In 2012, Christ Church Cambridge began having a problem with people dealing and overdosing in their bathrooms, according to The Boston Globe. It was one of few public restrooms in Harvard Square.
Although, there was a need for a public restroom, the church couldn't justify keeping it open.
"We weren't medically equipped or educated to handle overdoses, and we were desperately afraid we were going to have something happen that was way out of our reach," The Rev. Joseph O. Robinson, rector of the church, Christ Church Cambridge, told the New York Times.
Churches have had a long history with being meeting spaces for Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or other recovery group meetings.
Michael McSherry, minister of Edwards Church of Northampton, was recently contacted by the District Attorney's office to ask if they'd host recovery groups. They welcomed the group with open arms. The church also hosts a free dinner and he recognizes that sometimes people come that are high.
"Fortunately, nobody has ever passed out, but it's feasible," McSherry said. He said the next step is getting all of his staff and the staff that runs the free dinners to a Narcan training.
McSherry and Deb Moore, Minister of Faith Formation at Edwards Church, recently attended a Narcan training at First Churches of Northampton, Nov. 22. The two churches are part of a group that is working to educate and prepare congregations on the epidemic.
One step in the program is Narcan training.
Although, the training looks a little different than one given in homes or to families. For example, a church advisor doesn't know who will be around to administer the Narcan or even who will be the person overdosing. Group leaders have to prepare their congregation for anything.
But The Rev. Susan Grant Rosen, founder of the program said, it's an important step in identifying the church as a place people can go without being judged.
"In order to become a safe place, the church has to be willing to identify itself with the suffering people have around this and to take that on," Grant Rosen said. "And that's something you do when you have a Narcan training in your church."