Massachusetts continues to face a mounting crisis with opioid and prescription drug abuse. January brought multiple overdose incidents to our region, though fortunately emergency responders were able to intervene with Narcan in many cases.
We call on Governor Charlie Baker to move beyond semantic arguments about the term “cuts” and approve the addition of $5 million to the state budget for expanding the substance abuse counselor workforce. Equal priority must be given to funding both Narcan distribution and training initiatives for those who administer it.
Deaths from opiate overdoses continue to affect families throughout our community. Substance abuse represents one of the most urgent challenges confronting residents in this region.
The $5 million figure under consideration represents a trivial portion of the $32 billion state budget. This crisis demands immediate action rather than postponement. The Governor previously committed to making this issue central to his administration’s agenda. Attorney General Maura Healey has undertaken leadership of an initiative to combat opioid and prescription drug abuse. Both newly elected officials must coordinate their efforts and secure adequate resources to effectively address this problem.
Mahatmi Gandhi observed that “fblikebutton_button” a nation’s true measure emerges through its treatment of its most vulnerable citizens.
This particular challenge exemplifies the principle Gandhi sought to express.