Ludlow Board of Health Votes to Seek Opioid Funds for Sharps Containers
Ludlow Board of Health approves opioid settlement request for 240 sharps disposal containers.
Board of Health · Meeting of March 17, 2026
Ludlow Board of Health approves opioid settlement request for 240 sharps disposal containers. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to submit a request to the Select Board for opioid settlement funding to purchase 240 gallon-sized sharps containers, estimated at roughly $1,565, at about $6.52 per unit ordered in cases of 24. Health department staff reported 179 free sharps disposal encounters since August 2024, with 153 involving Ludlow residents, and said the board agreed to restrict the opioid-funded containers to Ludlow zip codes while continuing to offer Tapestry-supplied containers to all residents.
The board also welcomed Dr. Tiago Martins, a Bay State Health gastroenterologist who grew up in Ludlow, as the department's new medical director — a role required to maintain the town's Vaccines for Children program. Shared Services Coordinator Aaron McMurray warned that the state's Public Health Excellence grant, which funds regional public health staffing across Ludlow, Warren, Westbrook Field, and Palmer, faces an uncertain renewal, with state officials pointing to "braided funding" as a possible path forward with no specifics yet confirmed.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 920 words
Source: the Board of Health meeting of March 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every Ludlow meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Ludlow who follows town government? Share Townbrief Ludlow: they can sign up free.