HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The City of Holyoke has been hit particularly hard by the opioid epidemic. Now, the police department is taking a different approach to help people overcome addiction. The Holyoke Community Center brings together the police department, recovery coaches, the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, and other organizations to help people who are struggling with addiction. The 22News I-Team went for a ride along with some of its members searching popular hideouts for the city's most vulnerable. Holyoke honors St. Patrick’s Committee ahead of parade Josue Rivera is one of the recovery coaches. "At times, it's hard for them to even see further away than the present moment, kind of just living in survival," Rivera said. "Our job is to connect with them, engage with them." Detective Dorothy Beben is on the Police Department's Narcotics Intervention Team and is a member the Community Center. She took the I-Team into an alley that is commonly used as a hiding spot for people to use drugs. "If you go in a little further, you'll see drug paraphernalia, syringes, the little trash cans," Beben explained. Every day, her team is combing the city looking for anyone that might be overdosing, cleaning up any dangerous items left behind, and trying to build trust with those that need their help. "We're in plain clothes," said Beben. "We try to look as least intimidating as we can. We just built a good relationship with the community." Fentanyl was a factor in all 37 of the deadly overdoses reported in Holyoke in 2023, according to data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The number of fatal overdoses in Massachusetts reached a record high 2,335 in 2022. CDC data shows that overdose deaths are declining, but are still above pre-pandemic levels as drug dealers continue to mix the synthetic substance into other drugs to make them more potent. "There's been instances where we've used two or three Narcans to get someone to come to because of the potency in the drug," explained Beben. Beben says her team's efforts since they began in 2019 are working. They have made 474 successful contacts with people so far this year - whether that's a call, text, or conversation in person. They also helped place 37 people into a detox program in 2025. "We find that if we offer these services and we introduce them, we are successful, and in turn, that brings down the call volume," said Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan. "That brings down the demand for heroin. That brings down the shoplifting." The police department hopes that by connecting users to resources, it will help improve the quality of life for everyone in the city. "It's beautiful, and this is a great community overall," said Beben. "So we want to do our best every day." The Holyoke Police Community Center is located in the War Memorial Building. Anyone can walk in the entrance on Appleton Street, and go upstairs to the second floor to get help immediately. Local News Headlines Thousands in cash found in Springfield safety deposit boxes, man charged with trafficking cocaine Health commissioner urges vigilance amidst measles outbreaks Final pretrial hearing for Karen Read murder case Twin boys born in Westfield with help of first responders WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less