‘You Are Not Alone’ Says New Bedford’s PAACA to People Struggling with Addiction

This morning we shined the South Coast Health Community Spotlight onto an organization that has been around for decades here in New Bedford.  PAACA stands for Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction, and the organization has been helping people live chemical free lives since 1983.

Carl Alves has been a part of that mission for 34 of PAACA's 42 years of existence, starting out as a volunteer in 1991 and climbing to the role of Chief Executive Director.

PAACA's Mission

Alves talked about PAACA's mission.  "Our mission is to assist folks on the road to recovery and to help individuals and families that might be struggling. We help them access treatment, and then once you get through treatment, the goal is to help them rebuild their lives."

PAACA is not a traditional treatment agency that help people with detox.  They are a community-based organization with a wide variety of wraparound services from food and clothing to educational job training. PAACA's biggest effort in 2025, however, is helping people navigate the housing crisis.

"One of the most exciting things we have at PAACA is our youth services, which we start back in the mid-90's.  We believe that if young people can develop the tools and coping mechanisms that we can stop addiction before it starts," said Alves.

Free BBQ Thursdays

To help people reintegrate back into the community, PAACA throws a free barbeque outside their building every Thursday.  "We try to do is help people reintegrate to our community and build social skills. Some of the places that people used to hang out before probably are not the best places for people to hang out now, so we're trying to create an environment where folks can grab a burger and hot dog.  It's free of charge thanks to some generous benefactors.

How Does South Coast Health Help PAACA?

South Coast Health has been one of our greatest partners.  With the changes that we anticipate coming to our budgets at the end of the year, South Coast Health has done a great job of bringing folks together with planning how that might look.

What Would Alves Say to Someone Struggling with Addiction?

"You're not alone. Whether it's somebody you care about or maybe you've got a question about your own use, talk to somebody about it. There are a lot of great resources throughout our community.  There is no shame or stigma with addiction.  Isolation and shame will send you down a rabbit hole that is very difficult to get out. Recovery does work.  People do recover."