BOSTON - $350,000 in state funding will be used to establish the Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline, a resource officials say will be the first hotline of its kind funded by a state government in the country.

Governor Maura Healey announced the expansion of the initiative, which is a partnership between Boston Medical Center and RIZE Massachusetts. Since the helpline began in 2020, operators have remained on the line with people who are using and have contacted first responders if the caller is unresponsive.

With the investment, the program will be able to hire additional paid staff members while also promoting the service’s benefits.

State officials reported that overdose fatalities in Massachusetts reached an all-time high last year, as 2,357 deaths due to overdoses were reported.

The Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline can be reached at 800-972-0590. More details can be found on their website.