Health Board Backs Buprenorphine, Septic Variance Votes
The Lowell Board of Health voted to recommend letting PrideStar EMS paramedics give buprenorphine to overdose patients, funded by opioid settlement money.
Board of Health · Meeting of August 5, 2026
LOWELL — The Lowell Board of Health voted to recommend letting PrideStar EMS paramedics give buprenorphine to overdose patients, funded by opioid settlement money. Jon Kelley, PrideStar's director of communications and IT, said June 2026 had the fewest overdoses recorded since 2011, but warned "one bad batch of heroin" could spike numbers again. Dr.
Mollie Quip, PrideStar's medical director, said updated state protocols take effect August 17, and Dr. Audra Williams of Lowell General's Bridge Clinic called the post-Narcan window "a perfect opportunity" to start treatment. The board voted 4-0, with member Alision Keegan excused, to send the plan to the City Council, which must still approve funding from Lowell's roughly $3.8 million opioid settlement allocation.
The board also voted 4-0 to approve three Title V variances for a failing septic system at 31 Pemberton Street, authorizing Director Lisa Golden to sign off before the case goes to the Conservation Commission.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
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Source: the Board of Health meeting of August 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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