BCEC籌款三萬三千元 賑濟尼泊爾震災，防治西非艾波拉

波士頓華人佈道會（BCEC）自從買下中華頤養院舊址後，日前首度使用，和世界宣明會（World Vision）合作，舉辦“波士頓希望”活動，整理，包裝“照顧者套件（caregiver kit）”，將運送到西非及中南亞的尼泊爾去。

波士頓華人佈道會表示，在西非爆發艾波拉（Ebola）病症，尼泊爾出現七點八級地震等事故時，該會循例展開行動，除了為受影響者祈禱，還和各大救災機構合作，提供援助。

中國的地震，非洲的愛滋病，紐奧良的卡翠納颱風，以及日本的地震，都是該會曾經賑濟，支持的對象。。

該會的慈善活動，還包括和波士頓本地的波士頓援救任務（Boston Rescue Mission ）合作，為流浪漢提供餐食。

過去三週以來，該會成員為準備艾波拉照顧者套件籌款，原訂目標為一萬一千元，但令人驚喜的募得三萬三千元，將可為西非及尼泊爾提供更多援助。

在尼泊爾的世界宣明會工作，將包括為當地受災民眾提供清潔飲水，食物，庇護所，尤其是要為失去家庭的小孩提供安全空間。

在募款之外，該會成員日前匯聚到中華頤養院舊址，分裝了1400 個艾波拉照顧者套件，將送往塞拉利昂（ Sierra Leone）去。

Shutdown of Eastbound Memorial Avenue Rotary Bridge in West Springfield

10:00 PM Friday, May 29 to 5:00 AM Tuesday, June 2, 2015

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has developed several detour routes to maintain traffic during the first 79-hour shutdown of the Memorial Avenue Rotary Replacement Project in West Springfield. These detours have been modified to reduce congestion and provide a feasible route for larger vehicles.

Eastbound Bridge Shutdown - 10:00 PM on Friday, May 29 through 5:00 AM on Tuesday, June 2

During the first shutdown, MassDOT will close the following roads starting at 10:00 PM on Friday, May 29, for the eastbound bridge replacement:

·        Eastbound traffic on Memorial Bridge (into Springfield)

·        Route 5 northbound between the Memorial Bridge and the South End Rotary (vehicles may access Bondi’s Island transfer station facility)

·        Route 5 north and southbound ramps to Memorial Ave eastbound

·        Sidewalks on the eastbound bridge closed to pedestrians/cyclists

All roads will reopen to traffic at 5:00 AM on Tuesday, June 2.

 

SIGNED DETOUR ROUTES

Signs will direct vehicles to several detours throughout West Springfield and neighboring communities. The colors for each route correspond to the map:

To reach the North End or Downtown Springfield from West Springfield (Orange): Follow Main Street to the North End Bridge to cross the Connecticut River. Follow West Columbus Avenue (traveling south) to access downtown Springfield.

To reach the South End or Downtown Springfield from West Springfield (Orange): Follow Route 5 South to the South End Bridge to cross the Connecticut River. Follow I-91 North sign, then bear right to the Columbus Avenue exit to the South End.

To reach Route 5 Northbound north of the North End Bridge:

Option 1: Mandatory for trucks and heavy vehicles – Via I-91 (Green): From West Springfield or Agawam, follow Route 57 eastbound and take the exit onto US-5 South toward I-91/Springfield/Hartford Connecticut. After crossing the South End Bridge, take the exit on the left to merge onto I-91 northbound. Continue 4 miles, then keep left at the fork to stay on I-91 over the North End Bridge. Take exit 13A onto Route 5 North/Riverdale St.

Option 2: Passenger vehicles only – Via Local Roads in Agawam and West Springfield (Blue): From downtown Springfield, follow US-5 South over the South End Bridge and take the MA-57 exit toward Agawam/Southwick. At the traffic circle, take the third exit onto the MA-57 West ramp and continue on MA-57 west for 1 mile. Take the exit toward Main Street Agawam/West Springfield and merge onto Main Street/MA-159. Continue for 1 mile and turn right onto MA-147 East/Suffield Street. After crossing the Westfield River, turn left onto River Street. Turn slightly right onto Park Street. At the traffic circle, take the third exit onto the Riverdale Street ramp to US-20 East/Springfield. Then merge onto Riverdale Street/US-5 North.

Pedestrians and Bicyclists: Access will be provided to the sidewalks and unmarked crosswalks on the westbound bridge and northern portion of the rotary. Bicyclists should dismount and walk their bikes on the sidewalks. Pedestrians coming from the southern sidewalks on the Memorial Bridge or Memorial Avenue in West Springfield should cross to the northern sidewalks prior to entering the rotary.

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) Bus Detours: Two PVTA bus routes will be impacted. PVTA Red Route 10 connects Westfield State University and Westfield Center to the bus depot in Springfield. PVTA Red Route 14 connects Feeding Hills/Agawam to the bus depot in Springfield.  PVTA will provide a special shuttle with no fare from Park Street to Century Plaza traveling on Main Street in West Springfield on Saturday (7:00 AM to 9:35 PM), Sunday (9:00 AM to 7:45 PM), and Monday (5:00 AM to 11:13 PM). Please visitwww.pvta.com for additional information.

 

For Questions or More Information:

Visit the project website: http://www.mass.gov/massdot/MemorialAvenueRotaryReplacement or contact MassDOT Legislative Liaison Pahola DeLeon at (857) 368-8986 or Pahola.DeLeon@dot.state.ma.us.

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES $6 MILLION MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH NATIONAL CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES $6 MILLION MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH NATIONAL CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES

Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion Agree to Significant Changes to Benefit Consumers

BOSTON – In an effort to provide significant protections for consumers nationwide, Attorney General Maura Healey has joined a coalition of states in announcing a settlement with the three national credit reporting agencies following disputes over credit report errors, providers of consumer debt information, and marketing concerns.

Under the settlement, Equifax Information Services LLC, Experian Information Solutions Inc., and TransUnion LLC have agreed to pay the 31 participating states a total of $6 million and to make a number of changes to their business practices to benefit consumers.

            “Credit reports affect countless aspects of day-to-day life, from a person’s ability to obtain a mortgage and buy a house to a job hunter’s success in finding employment,” AG Healey said.  “This settlement will improve the accuracy of those reports and provides important protections to consumers.”

The states initiated an investigation into certain segments of the credit reporting industry following concerns from consumers that the agencies do not maintain the right procedures to assure the complete accuracy of credit reports. Consumers also complained that the agencies tried to sell them on products during credit report dispute calls, and that the agencies did not prevent information, that was removed in credit reports following a reinvestigation, from reappearing.

The three credit reporting agencies have agreed to comply with state and federal laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Key provisions of the settlement include:

Higher standards for data furnishers:

• The credit reporting agencies must maintain information about problem data furnishers – or providers of consumer debt information to the agencies – and provide a list of those furnishers to the states upon request.
• The credit reporting agencies and data furnishers must use a better, more detailed system to share data with each other.

Limits to direct-to-consumer marketing:

• The credit reporting agencies cannot market credit monitoring services to a consumer during a dispute phone call until the dispute portion of the call has ended.
• The credit reporting agencies must tell consumers that purchasing a product is not a requirement for disputing information on their credits reports.

Added protections for consumers who dispute credit reporting information:

• The credit reporting agencies must implement an escalated process for handling complicated disputes, such as those involving identity theft, fraud, or mixed files — where one consumer’s information is mixed with another’s.
• When consumers initiate disputes, the credit reporting agencies must send any supporting documents that the consumers provide to the data furnishers.
• Consumers may obtain one additional free credit report in a 12-month period if they dispute information on their credit report and a change is made as a result of the dispute.

Limits to certain information that can be added to a consumer’s credit report:

• The credit reporting agencies are generally prohibited from adding information about fines and tickets – such as speeding or parking tickets – to credit reports.
• The credit reporting agencies cannot place medical debt on a credit report until 180 days after the account is reported to the credit reporting agency, which gives consumers time to work out issues with their insurance companies.

A credit reporting agency must also tell consumers how they can further dispute the outcome of an investigation, such as by filing a complaint with other agencies, and will provide a link to its online dispute website, free of ads and any marketing, offers advertisements, on www.annualcreditreport.com.

Under the terms of the settlement, the agencies will pay a total $6 million to the participating states, including approximately $160,000 to Massachusetts. Consumers with concerns or questions can visit the AG’s website for more information.

The settlement was joined by the Attorneys General of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

This case was handled by staff of Attorney General Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division, including Assistant Attorney General Lydia French, Chief Glenn Kaplan, and Legal Analyst John-Michael Partesotti.

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REPORT ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION IN THE CITY OF BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REPORT ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION IN THE CITY OF BOSTON

Report Serves as Blueprint for Newly Formed Office of Recovery Services; Office to be Led by Jennifer Tracey 

BOSTON - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation (BCBSMF) to release Addiction and Recovery Services in the City of Boston, a Blueprint for Building a Better System of Care, a report on the current status of substance abuse and addiction in the City of Boston. The findings of the report will serve as a road map for the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services (ORS), the first-ever municipal-based office to focus on this issue. The Mayor also announced that Jennifer Tracey, a highly respected and experienced recovery expert, will head ORS. 

“Too many Bostonians are all too familiar with the destruction that substance abuse addiction causes in our City’s families and neighborhoods,” said Mayor Walsh. “We see addiction’s devastation in our homes, at our workplaces, and on our streets. Where there are accessible recovery supports that readily assist people and families suffering from addiction, devastation can quickly transform into a wellspring of resilience and strength. This is why addressing Boston’s addiction problem is one of my top priorities as Mayor of Boston. Now that BCBSMAF has finalized this report, it will serve as a vital roadmap for the newly created Office of Recovery Services, which will soon open under the Boston Public Health Commission.”

“We were pleased to partner with Mayor Walsh and his Administration  on an assessment that included concrete, actionable recommendations to strengthen Boston’s substance use disorder and recovery service system," said BCBSMF President Audrey Shelto. "Under his leadership, the City has an incredible opportunity to strengthen the partnerships and programs that provide services to individuals and families impacted by addiction and reduce stigma by encouraging those who need treatment to seek it. The City of Boston can become a national leader in combating drug use and related community challenges and serve as a model to other municipalities in the region and around the country." 

Last year, Mayor Walsh announced a collaboration between the City of Boston and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation to produce a study on the current capacity of addiction and recovery services in the City of Boston. The findings of the report focus on how to better align the city’s addiction and recovery services with demonstrated best practices.

Among the report's findings, some include: 

• Boston’s rate of substance abuse prevalence (11.3 percent), based on respondents’ indication of dependence or abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol in the past year, is roughly comparable to that of other regions within the state.
• The substance use disorder treatment system is a statewide system and treatment seekers are not prioritized for placement based on their city or town of residence. At any given time, as many of half of the residential treatment beds based in Boston may be filled by individuals living outside of the City. 
• Boston’s capacity gap reflects needs beyond Boston residents. Based on the analysis by the state’s Health Planning Council, the City has a significantly higher density of treatment and recovery beds (detox, residential, transitional support services and Clinical Stabilization Service) than any other area of the state. 
• Boston has 152 beds per 100,000 residents, while the next largest, central Massachusetts and Cape Cod, have approximately 42 beds per 100,000 residents.

Among the report's recommendations, some include: 

• Augmenting existing capacity (beds) for detox and residential treatment;
• Creating a central source of real-time information on available treatment beds and outpatient services;
• A more cohesive and integrated continuum of care to reduce relapse and increase rates of retention during transition points;
• Encouraging of formal referral arrangements between organizations;
• Supporting integration of levels of care within single organizations;
• Public and private payment reform to support such delivery system reform;
• Expanding care coordination and system navigation services;
• Better data collection and reporting regarding need, demand and capacity;
• More detailed data collection including needs of specific populations and cultural competence; and
• Advocacy for implementation of evidence based practices. 

The Office of Recovery Services will be under the oversight of the Boston Public Health Commission, and is part of Mayor Walsh’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget, which identified $300,000 in new funding to help support its creation. The office will work to improve existing addiction and recovery services and create a continuum of high quality services for those battling addiction, help those fighting addiction navigate the city’s available resources, and advocate for treatment options. Today's addiction and recovery study will be fundamental to the development, mission and function of the office.

As the new Director of the Office of Recovery Services, Jennifer Tracey has nearly 20 years of experience in the field of Health and Human Services ranging from program development, implementation and evaluation; grant and contract negotiation; strategic community mobilization, education and direct service work with adolescents and families. Tracey previously served as the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adults at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services for the past five years. At DPH, she oversaw the development of policies and programming for the state’s youth and young adult treatment service system and recovery high schools. Prior to her most recent position, Tracey worked for seven years as DPH's Boston Regional Manager, developing and administering comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment programs throughout the City of Boston and statewide. Tracey holds a master's degree in Social Work from Salem State College and a bachelor's degree from Providence College. She is a resident of Dorchester. 

"It is an honor to serve the City of Boston and join a team that prioritizes innovative addiction recovery efforts," said Tracey. "I am grateful to bring my experience and passion to the Office of Recovery Services to carry out the recommendations of the strategic plan and to support Mayor Walsh's comprehensive vision comprised of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery for each individual and family in the City of Boston."

Wednesday's report was released at the Dimock Center in Roxbury, which is nationally recognized as a model for the delivery of comprehensive health and human services in an urban community.

“I am incredibly honored that The Dimock Center was chosen as the site to release this important addiction and recovery report,” said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, President & CEO of The Dimock Center and member of the report’s Advisory Council. “As a leader in substance abuse and recovery services, The Dimock Center is at the forefront of the fight against addiction as we work to increase access to these services in the City of Boston and beyond.”

Governor Baker Appoints Thomas Shack As Comptroller

Governor Baker Appoints Thomas Shack As Comptroller

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today appointed Thomas Shack as Comptroller of the Commonwealth, an independent overseer of the Commonwealth’s financial transactions, accountability and service delivery across the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.

“Tom’s experience within the Comptroller’s Office will ensure taxpayers have a collaborative and independent fiscal watchdog as our administration also works to close the $1.8 billion structural deficit we inherited and make government more customer-service oriented,” said Governor Baker.“Addressing the underlying spending problem in state government will require an enhanced degree of transparency, efficiency and accountability that I am confident Tom will provide.”

The Comptroller is appointed by and serves coterminous with and independent of the Governor. The Office of the Comptroller is served by an Advisory Board chaired by Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore and consisting of the Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General, Trial Court Administrator and two gubernatorial appointees with experience in accounting, management or public finance who serve three-year terms.

“I am grateful to Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito for this unique and challenging opportunity and I look forward to serving as the next Comptroller of the Commonwealth,” said Thomas Shack. “I am mindful of the responsibility we have to ensure accountability and accuracy in the Commonwealth’s financial and administrative operations and I look forward to building upon the organization’s longstanding reputation for outstanding service, security, and transparency.”

About Thomas G. Shack III, Esq.

Thomas Shack has served the Office of the Comptroller since 2012, most recently as Deputy Comptroller and Chief Financial and Operating Officer, where he started as a Deputy General Counsel and later the Director of Resource Management and Chief Financial Officer managing the Commonwealth’s multi-billion dollars per year operating budget. Prior to joining the Comptroller’s Office, Shack spent eight years as Chief of Operations, Chief Financial Officer and a Senior Assistant District Attorney for the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office and served in private practice. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from New England Law Boston and a Masters of Business Administration from The American University. Shack also held multiple roles in the private sector.

AG HEALEY LAUNCHES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION

AG HEALEY LAUNCHES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION

First-of-its-kind division focused on engaging with residents across the state to be led by former director of Office for Refugees and Immigrants

BOSTON — Building on her promise to run an inclusive and responsive office, Attorney General Maura Healey today launched her office’s Community Engagement Division. The first-of-its-kind division will bring the Attorney General’s Office and its work into neighborhoods and communities across the Commonwealth.

“This is the people’s law firm and it’s important to me that people across our state are connected with our Office and the work we do,” said AG Maura Healey. “My experience traveling around the state taught me that many residents do not understand the full scope and reach of the Attorney General’s Office. This new division will help ensure people are connected with the resources they need to help solve their problems.”   

To lead the division, the AG has tapped Marcony Almeida-Barros. Almeida-Barros most recently served as the Acting Executive Director for the Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) and previously worked as the office’s chief of staff. Prior to working for ORI, Almeida-Barros was the Director of Organizing and Deputy Executive Director for the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, where he worked on immigration reform at the federal level and directed the organization’s outreach, legislative and advocacy efforts.

“The new Community Engagement Division is committed to being an active presence in neighborhoods across the state and learning about the diverse issues facing our communities,” said Almeida-Barros. “We will be taking the office out of Boston and bringing it into cities and towns across the Commonwealth.”

The first efforts the Community Engagement Division will undertake include training on the new Earned Sick Time and Domestic Workers laws to better educate both employers and employees on their rights and responsibilities. The Division is also working with communities to schedule office hours, bringing the resources of the AG’s office directly to communities at times that are more convenient for working people and their families.

Healey has also hired Willie Bodrick II to serve as the division’s Outreach Coordinator. Bodrick comes to the Attorney General’s Office with extensive experience in community outreach and engagement. Bodrick is a youth and young adult pastor and a program director at the Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury. Bodrick is a graduate of Georgetown University and has a masters of divinity from Harvard Divinity School. He is also the founder, president and CEO of BOLD MOLD, Inc (Black Men Overtly Leveraging Development), a nonprofit organization that works to redirect the stereotypical and statistical trajectory of young black men through education and intergenerational mentoring.

MassDot 呼籲紀念日週末出行安全 提供免費咖啡

MassDOT Encourages Safe Travel this Memorial Day Weekend

Boston – Wednesday, May 20, 2015 – MassDOT encourages travelers to plan ahead and travel safely during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  The heaviest traffic is expected Thursday, Friday, and Monday afternoons and early evenings.  Drivers are encouraged to make travel plans accordingly and if possible avoid peak traffic volumes between 1:00 PM and 7:00PM on those days.

Traffic is expected to be especially heavy at the I-84 interchange at Exit 9 in Sturbridge on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and at Exit 11A, I-495, for people driving south to Cape Cod and north to New Hampshire and Maine. Travelers to the Cape have access to real time roadside traffic information through the GO Time system. To plan ahead, traffic information is available for download using the free RideWise Smartphone App that provides live traffic conditions.

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers reports that there will be no lane restrictions on the Sagamore Bridge during the Memorial Holiday weekend period, from Wednesday, May 20 through Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day).

MassDOT will suspend all construction work on major arterial roadways from 12:00 PM on Friday, May 22 through the start of normal business on Tuesday, May 26.

Additionally MassDOT will open the Southbound HOV Lane at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 21, 2015 and at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 22, 2015 in anticipation of early PM Commute due to Memorial Day Weekend.  

MassDOT’s Highway Assistance Patrol service which is sponsored by MAPFRE Insurance, will continue to work to reduce roadway congestion and to make the Commonwealth’s roadways safer for summer travel. The Highway Assistance Patrol covers I-93/O'Neill Tunnel running through Boston, and Interstates in Greater Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Cape Cod (seasonally) as well as at the Tobin Bridge, Ted Williams Tunnels, Sumner and Callahan Tunnels. The patrol provides free, limited roadside assistance to drivers in need.

Check the MassDOT live Traffic Cameras web page before you travel to view current traffic.

Save time and fuel by joining E-ZPass to avoid waiting in line at cash toll booths. Travelers are reminded that the Tobin Bridge has converted to All-Electronic Tolling system using E-ZPass or Pay-by-Plate.

Free coffee will be served at the 18 MassDOT service plazas from 10:00 PM Monday night through 5:00 AM Tuesday morning.

CapeFLYER weekend rail service to Cape Cod and the Islands resumes Friday, May 22 through Labor Day.  Visitwww.capeflyer.com  for complete schedules and ticket information.

The MBTA will operate buses and subways on a Sunday schedule on Memorial Day.

All RMV offices will be closed Monday May 25 in observance of the holiday.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog:www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot and Facebook atwww.facebook.com/massdotinfo.

僑委會2015年僑商經營管理研習會開始招生

僑務委員會2015年僑商經營管理研習會開始招生

僑務委員會為協助海外僑商掌握經營管理新知及促進海外僑臺商與國內績優企業交流互動，訂於2015年7月13日至7月24日開辦「2015年僑商經營管理研習會」，由社團法人中華民國全國中小企業總會承辦。該研習課程係以國內外Mini MBA核心學程為主，除由國內專家業者講授人力資源管理、領導與溝通、行銷管理與顧客行為、休閒產業行銷、組織行為、服務與營運管理、產業競爭分析、策略行銷與價值經營、實際案例解析及經驗分享等外，並安排參訪多家國內標竿經營之企業及文化創意產業；全程參與課程者將由僑務委員會發給中英文研習證書。

該研習課程之教材、師資及場地等學雜費用由僑務委員會負擔，學員須自付由僑居地往返之交通費用、研習期間之住宿費，有意參訓者請於2015年6月10日前向波士頓華僑文教服務中心報名電話:617-965-8801，並可至全球僑商服務網（www.ocbn.org.tw首頁/僑商培訓邀訪/最新預告）或至僑務委員會網站（www.ocac.gov.tw首頁/公告事項/開班）下載活動簡介及報名表。

Malden Barbecue Safety and Propane Grill Permits

Barbecue Safety and Propane Grill Permits

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

With Memorial Day and the beginning of the summer season imminent, the Malden Fire Department would like to take the opportunity to remind residents about the City ordinance pertaining to barbecue and propane grills and permit and safety requirements.

Chapter 10.13 of the City of Malden Ordinances states in part:  Anyone who operates a propane grill in the City MUST obtain a permit from the Malden Fire Department. The permit fee is $5 and may be obtained by going to the office at the District One Fire Station, One Sprague Street during City Hall business hours. The permit does not expire.

Safety requirements include that barbecue grills must be placed at least five feet away from any structure and in an area clear of heavy grass and brush or overhead hazards when in use. Grills are not permitted on porches, rooftops or balconies when in use. Storage or use of liquid propane gas containers above the first floor of a building used for habitation is prohibited. Grills must not be left unattended while in use and charcoal must be completely and thoroughly extinguished.

To read the ordinance in full, please visit: http://www.cityofmalden.org/ordinances/section-1013-charcoal-and-propane-barbecue-grilles/section-1013-charcoal-and-propane

GUTRO PROPOSES PHARMACIES POST MEDICATION DISPOSAL LOCATIONS

GUTRO PROPOSES PHARMACIES POST MEDICATION DISPOSAL LOCATIONS Councilor files ordinance to increase public awareness
QUINCY: Citing the escalating crisis of opioid abuse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Quincy in particular, Councilor-at-Large Doug Gutro today proposed that pharmacies in the City of Quincy conspicuously post notice that prescription drugs can be disposed of at Quincy Police Department Headquarters at One Sea St.
“The epidemic of opioid abuse is tearing apart families and becoming one of the foremost health, welfare and public safety challenges that government at all levels must face,” Gutro said. “Media reports last week revealed that of 30 Massachusetts cities and towns Quincy ranks 9th per capita in overdose fatalities,” Gutro stated.
Gutro noted that the City’s D.A.R.E program does an excellent job of promoting awareness among the City’s youth and parents of the dangers of substance abuse. “But this epidemic is truly different than what we’ve seen in the past. Four out of five heroin users become addicted because of the use ofmedicationsprescribedforpainrelief,”Gutrosaid. “Anythingwecandotoraiseawarenessof addiction danger and how patients can safely dispose of prescription medications is something we as a City should encourage,” Gutro added.
“The pharmacy is a near universal point of contact for the delivery of prescription medication so it makes sense to raise awareness where patients first obtain their medication,” Gutro said.
The proposed ordinance would require notices be posted at pharmacy consultation and check out windows and that information about opiate risks and alternative disposal options be available to patients. Thecompletetextfollows:
“All pharmacies shall post notices of all permanent municipal disposal locations in a visible location near pharmacy check out or consultation windows. All postings may either reference proper disposal and associated risks of opiate abuse or be supplemented with visible access to literature referencing risks and additional disposal options.”