Opioids: Despite progress in Massachusetts, crisis continues to take lives and hurt families

Across the country, opioid addiction is now taking more young lives than the HIV epidemic did at its peak. Nearly 2 million people in the United States suffer from an addiction to prescription opioids, and about 17,000 people die each year from overdosing on these medications. Massachusetts is one of the hardest hit states, with more than 11,000 deaths between 2000 and 2015.

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released new data showing that the number of opioid deaths across the Commonwealth topped out at 2,069 in 2016. That's about 6 deaths a day due to opioids.

Not one of the communities in the 4th Middlesex District has escaped the epidemic. In fact, some of the communities here have been especially hard hit. In 2015, there were 30 deaths in our five communities. The new data from DPH show 41 deaths in 2016. Behind each one of those numbers is a person representing the loss of a friend, neighbor, or loved one.

And, it's a crisis that has affected me, personally. Five years ago, my brother's son, my nephew, died of an overdose of heroin. He was 23. He had struggled with this addiction since high school and had sought opioid addiction recovery treatment and rehabilitation more than once.

A recent Boston Medical Center study published in the Journal of American Pharmacists Association (March-April 2017) suggests that pharmacies should proactively offer the overdose-reversing drug naloxone to help put it in the hands of people at risk of abusing opioids. Naloxone is available without a prescription at Bay State pharmacies, however, patients and their loved ones are reluctant to ask for it due to the stigma surrounding addiction.

Several measures currently in the legislature propose to address this crisis. Overdose treatment can be expanded to improve access to naloxone and to increase the number of trained medical personnel to treat overdose. I support efforts to expand access to mental health treatment and the integration of mental health treatment within health care, ensure continuity of care, and adequate reimbursement rates.

Criminal justice reform, along with collaboration with enforcement, are crucial elements to combatting this crisis. Incarceration is not the solution, and in fact is costly in terms of funds that could be used for treatment, in addition to the human cost of locking people up rather than helping them to live productive lives. I would support legislation that creates treatment diversion programs in place of incarceration for low-level offenders who are mentally ill or drug addicted.

And those who have followed this blog for some years know how strongly I support media literacy education. Research-based health programs in public schools that address root causes of substance abuse and other public health issues, including media literacy education, should be employed to empower young people to be discerning consumers of health information and popular culture messages.

It's well past time that we acknowledge human vulnerability and have compassion for those who struggle with all types of addiction. With increased treatment, recovery, and prevention and education, along with criminal justice reform and health care improvements, addiction will be better understood so that we, our friends, and our loved ones might seek the treatment necessary to move past addiction and lead healthy, productive lives.

Better representation. It's time.

Senator Ken Donnelly was good and kind. His heart and skill as a legislator were matched by his passion and dedication as a public servant on behalf of the People of the 4th Middlesex and beyond. His legacy lives forever in our hearts and in the lives he changed. His genuine interactions with people inspired me in my own public service, and to find an office and run for it.

A Special Election has been called to fill this important seat. I enthusiastically announce my candidacy because I want to provide the best representation to the people of the communities across this district.

Today, people want to be more engaged. But they often don’t understand how the system should work for them. It can be difficult to navigate a complicated established structure to even reach the level where conversations can begin.

We need people in state government who have come up from the ranks, who know what it means to truly represent constituents – at the level of your elementary school or town meeting, where you are accountable to your neighbors. This is where change can happen, and I’ve been there and I’ve listened to people, and heard and understood the needs and hopes of families – from the high achievers to those who struggle to get attention for students with special needs. And then I led my schools through the worst financial crisis many of us have seen.

Politics at the national level have become uncertain. Better representation is essential and it’s urgent. Now is the time for changing the system to work for all of us, the way government should, with a hands-on, open-minded approach. That’s why I’m in this race.

As I’ve been gathering signatures in the five communities across the district, people have shared their personal, moving stories: Charlotte talked of her love and devotion for the diverse community she has embraced. Susan wants me to know that there are gaps in community employment for her adult son with special needs, even after transition planning. Pete is still feeling the pain of the recession.

Their concerns are mine, too. I look forward to a campaign that focuses on the critical issues we face in the district and across the Commonwealth: the need for revenue; for paid family and medical leave for modern families and workers; addressing climate change and securing a clean energy future; protecting access to reproductive rights, mental health, and health care, while making it more affordable; sustaining and strengthening our schools and communities; improving our transportation infrastructure; protecting the most vulnerable among us; and more.

Over the course of my career in public service, I have sought and served in progressively higher leadership positions that allowed me to represent parents and members of my community in ever wider circles.

I was first elected to my children’s elementary school site council and later served as local PTA co-president, then as president of the Massachusetts PTA. I’ve served my town of Lexington in Town Meeting, then was elected twice to the School Committee, including a term as chairwoman.

Currently as the Parent Representative on the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, I continue to advocate on behalf of parents across the Commonwealth for the funding and policies that will ensure our public schools’ continued and improving quality, and so that they serve the diverse needs of all families.

I have led the battle for adequate financing for transportation and public schools as an original signer of the Fair Share Amendment petition, which is moving toward final passage.

Additionally, I worked as Director of Education and Programs for children, youth, and families at a small church in Newton for ten years and currently teach at Middlesex Community College.

My values are clearly represented throughout my work, and I will continue to stand up for those values in the Senate in my drive to improve people’s lives. I’m approaching this campaign with a sense of optimism, purpose, and direction. I look forward to continued opportunities to hear from you.

The Special Primary Election will be on Tuesday, June 27 for the 4th Middlesex District (Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Woburn, and Lexington, precincts 1,2,4,5,6 and 7).

It would be an honor to serve as this District’s State Senator and I ask for your consideration.