The state Department of Public Health is reiterating its support for supervised injection sites, saying they would help “prevent fatal overdoses” in the Bay State after a local board backed opening a facility.

The Worcester Board of Health this week voted to OK an overdose prevention center pilot program.

This vote comes as the opioid epidemic continues to wreak havoc across the region, and in the wake of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reporting that supervised injection sites would help slash the number of opioid overdoses and deaths.

Following the Worcester vote this week, the Herald reached out to the state Department of Public Health about its stance on an overdose prevention center in Worcester. DPH in response said the opening of overdose prevention centers would provide the state “with an additional tool to prevent fatal overdoses.”

“DPH is committed to reducing overdose deaths and ensuring that individuals in the state have access to the harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services they need, when they need it,” a DPH spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

“After a comprehensive review, DPH found that Overdose Prevention Centers are an evidence-based, life-saving tool that is aligned with a comprehensive, public health approach to substance use and overdose risk,” the state agency spokesperson added.

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Massachusetts supervised injection sites would slash opioid overdose deaths: Department of Public Health

Overdose prevention centers, which have operated for decades in other countries like Canada and Australia, are sites where people can use drugs under the supervision of trained staff — who can administer overdose reversal medication, also known as Narcan.

No overdose death has ever been reported at a sanctioned overdose prevention center.

The Worcester Board of Health vote on Monday was to support piloting an overdose prevention center, with state Department of Public Health approval.

“DPH hopes that all municipalities feel supported in their efforts to expand harm reduction services in their communities and will continue to be a resource to Worcester and any other city or town interested in learning more about OPCs,” DPH said in a statement.

“It is critical that an OPC establishment receives local support to be successful,” DPH added. “Existing local and state data should also be utilized to ensure that an OPC would be located where it would meet the needs of people who use drugs and those at risk of overdose.”

DPH a few months ago reported that more than 2,300 overdose deaths occurred in the state during a recent one-year span.