A FREE THURSDAY PUBLICATION
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2015
“The morning heat had already soaked through the walls, rising up from the floor like a ghost of summers past.” (Erik Tomblin)
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Gov. Baker’s Reports on Opioids (especially heroin) This is South Boston Online’s seventh article on the drug crisis in Boston and Massachusetts. Gov. Baker recently released his own documents on this crisis, which we briefly review in the article below. We will say it as bluntly as we can: Please get copies and read both of these reports – they are important, very important. by Rick Winterson
Two months ago, the Office of Governor Charlie Baker released two reports on the opioid drug crisis in Massachusetts. Before we proceed with a review of these two reports, the word “opioid” needs a bit of explanation. “Opioids” can refer to legally prescribed medicines, such as OxyCodone; it can also mean flatly illegal substances such as heroin. In recent times, some heroin has contained another extremely powerful (and dan-
Stressed Out?
gerous) pain-killer known as fentanyl. In this review, South Boston Online will refer to opioids and heroin interchangeably. Even though that isn’t quite accurate, it makes for a clearer discussion. Suffice to say that heroin and all other opioids (except for those prescribed legally) are highly addictive and dangerous. A user never really knows what’s in an opioid bought on the street, even if the dealer says it’s “heroin”. The two reports from Gov. Baker’s office are called “Recommendations of the Governor’s Opioid Working Group” and “Action Plan to Address the Opioid Epidemic in the Commonwealth”. These were assembled by an 18-member group chaired by Marylou Sudders, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). The first report is 47 pages long; the second, a short seven pages – for a total of 54 continued on page 2
DON’T MAX-OUT!
Summer Beach Party!
The BCYF’s Curley Community Center, Mayor Martin J. Walsh & MASSPORT present the Curley Center’s End of Summer Beach Party, on Wednesday, August 26, from 6pm9pm on Curley’s Family Friendly M Street Beach. ALL are invited to come together and celebrate “L” Street Night on our clean and beautiful South Boston shoreline and all that it has to offer! Join us for music, entertainment, hamburgers, hot dogs, chowder and ice cream, a sand castle competition, face painting, and lots more! Bring your appetite, bring a beach chair and bring a friend to sit and enjoy the musical talents of the Linehan Brothers with special guests. See you there!!! #SouthieAmerica
GET AWAY TO MORE THIS SUMMER, WITH A MASS BAY VACATION LOAN!
7.49% APR*
GET up to $7,500 TAKE up to 18 months to pay Take off for a great vacation and leave those cards behind! Apply online at massbaycu.org or stop by any branch.
massbaycu.org (617) 269-2700 147 West 4th Street, South Boston *APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Monthly principal and interest payment per $1,000.00 borrowed for 18 months at 7.49% APR is $58.91. Current Annual Percentage Rates subject to change without notice. Loan amount up to $7,500. Qualification restrictions apply. Terms and conditions apply.
Federally insured by NCUA
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY