WALSH COMING UP SHORT ON ANSWERS
Other pols echo with no specifics for Methadone Mile
Outraged South End residents and city councilors are demanding action on the drug- and crime-plagued Methadone Mile, but Mayor Martin Walsh on Thursday was short on specific answers to address the ongoing crisis of rampant addiction and homelessness.
In a Twitter blast — in apparent response to a heated community meeting Wednesday night and press queries — Walsh said he was committed to “doing everything we can to continue supporting individuals in need of recovery services.”
When pressed by the Herald for specifics, Walsh said there’s “no magic bullet” but noted this year’s budget allows for increased funding for outreach councilors. He also mentioned staff from his administration and Boston police are now solely dedicated to the issue.
“This isn’t an epidemic that was caused by the closing of the Long Island Bridge. This was not caused by anything that happened to the city of Boston. This is a national epidemic, and we are trying to fight this national epidemic,” he said.
A Walsh spokeswoman later cited a number of housing, treatment and outreach programs instituted in 2016, 2017 and 2018, but didn’t address how the unabated crisis will be addressed this year.
Gov. Charlie Baker also offered no specifics about the Methadone Mile crisis, saying in a prepared statement that didn’t mention Boston: “While there is much work left to do, Massachusetts continues to expand access to addiction treatment and was one of very few states where opioid-related overdose deaths decreased in 2017 and 2018.”
Allison Burns, who heads Hope House Addiction Services on the Methadone Mile, said, “I think with the advent of fentanyl the landconcerns
scape has changed and we need to change with it and we need to address it again.”
She said she wants more help from City Hall and police.
Frustrated South End resident Pauline Durant told the Herald local officials aren’t doing enough: “Get some treatment for these people out here who are strung out on drugs and can’t help themselves and put the money where their damn mouth is.”
Some city councilors are now advocating for committing addicts to a detox program in the Suffolk County jail. Walsh said forcing people into treatment isn’t a good solution, “You have to be willing to go into treatment, so we can’t force them in. All you can do is continue to outreach and hope … when they’re ready for it, they will accept some help.”
But City Councilor Tim McCarthy, backing jail treatment, said, “I think we have to solve the problem.”
City Councilor Frank Baker said the city needs to step up Section 35s, which allow courts to involuntarily commit someone. City Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty said he supports Section 35s “all day long,” along with treatment on-demand.
Rebuilding the Long Island bridge will be critical, said City Councilor Ed Flynn. But City Councilor AtLarge Annissa EssaibiGeorge said, “We still need to work on the crisis here right now. The impact of this crisis is at a tipping point. … We need more beds in the area and state.”
Police Commissioner William Gross said he recently met with Walsh, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins and Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins to talk about Methadone Mile. Police have done recent sweeps of the area, which drew the ire of some residents and the praise of others. Gross said the sweeps targeted drug dealers who prey on the vulnerable.
Gross said, “We need more money for programs, we need more beds and we need a combined effort to resolve these problems.”
Rollins said in a statement: “I don’t have all the answers, but I am committed to asking the right questions. Those directly impacted by the ‘sweep’ need to have a seat at the table, along with our partners in law enforcement, public health, government, and non-profits. Let’s turn these conversations into action.”