Massachusetts Observes Overdose Awareness Day

Massachusetts Observes Overdose Awareness Day

 

State bridges, transit hubs, and local buildings to be lit up in purple as part of national effort to remember lives lost to overdose

BOSTON (August 31, 2021) – Massachusetts will recognize August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day – a day held to remember the lives lost to overdoses, to dispel stigma surrounding addictions and to offer hope and recognize individuals’ recovery from substance use disorder.

In observance of the day, and in memory of individuals lost due to substance use disorder, all four state-operated bridges – the Zakim, Longfellow, and Fore River bridges in Greater Boston and the Burns Bridge in Worcester – and Boston’s South Station and Government Center transit hubs will be lit up in purple, the color associated with the awareness campaign. A number of landmark locations across the Commonwealth will be illuminated purple, including municipal buildings like Boston City Hall.

Between 1999 and 2019, the opioid overdose crisis claimed nearly 500,000 lives in the United States and each day an average of 136 Americans die from an overdose on prescription pain medication, heroin, or fentanyl.

To recognize the day, Governor Baker issued a proclamation declaring August 31 Overdose Awareness Day in Massachusetts, writing in part:

“As a national public health crisis, the opioid overdose epidemic continues to devastate our communities not only through the tremendous loss of life and associated trauma to families and loved ones, but also through a profound economic strain on individuals and families in health care costs, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement …[and]…we should be encouraged to continue in our efforts to provide our loved ones, friends, coworkers, and neighbors with the support they need to overcome addiction.”

The Fiscal Year 2022 budget signed by Governor Baker last month includes a provision codifying the practice of issuing a proclamation each year for Overdose Awareness Day.

The proclamation reinforces the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to combatting substance use in Massachusetts, including the most recent announcement of over $30 million in state funding for regional/statewide services to provide pathways to stability and recovery for individuals facing homelessness and substance use disorders. These include $19 million for Housing First-model low-threshold permanent housing and support services in Brockton, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Quincy, Springfield, and Worcester, $3.2 million for street outreach to people experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder, and a $10 million capital fund that will increase the amount of permanent supportive housing in the Commonwealth.

To learn about addiction treatment and recovery services, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-substance-addiction-services.

If you or a friend or family member is struggling with substance use, please call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050, or visit https://helplinema.org/.

MAYOR JANEY RECOGNIZES INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY & NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH 2021

MAYOR JANEY RECOGNIZES INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY & NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH 2021  The City of Boston’s commemoration will include awareness and community events, including a discussion with “Empire of Pain” author Patrick Radden Keefe.

 

BOSTON – Tuesday, August 31, 2021 – Today, Mayor Janey recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day, with the goal of raising awareness about overdoses in Boston, reducing the stigma surrounding addiction, and honoring the memory of friends and family who have lost their lives to substance use disorder. In their honor, Mayor Janey will light City Hall in purple tonight, in partnership with the Baker-Polito Administration’s illumination of Government Center, South Station, and state bridges, including Longfellow and Zakim in Boston, Fore River in Weymouth-Quincy, and Burns in Worcester. Also today, Mayor Janey will join the Office of Recovery Services, faith-based leaders and Councilor Frank Baker at a City Hall gathering recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day, ahead of September’s National Recovery Month. “So many of us in the city of Boston have a connection with substance use disorder, whether it’s a family member, friend, someone in our community, or ourselves experiencing it,” said Mayor Janey. “International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month are important times for us to come together in memory of those we’ve lost and in support of those in recovery.”  The convergence of the opioid epidemic with the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the urgency for preventing overdoses and promoting recovery in Boston. The pandemic heightened overdose risks by disrupting public health and social services, increasing social isolation, and changing the drug supply. Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts increased by five percent in 2020 compared to 2019, marking the first increase in annual opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts in three years. To meet residents’ needs, all city-run recovery services have remained open and operational throughout the pandemic. For more information on recovery services in Boston, please visit boston.gov/recovery.  Today’s remembrance events will lead into the start of National Recovery Month tomorrow. Observed every September, National Recovery Month provides an opportunity to celebrate individuals living in recovery and to build community awareness about the services and supports available for individuals along their road to recovery.  “Each and every day our Recovery Services team gives hope and support with professionalism and compassion to the people of Boston,” said Jen Tracey, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services (ORS). “We honor and remember those we have lost this past year and want everyone to know that we will continue to adapt to the epidemic and prioritize safe access to recovery services for all Boston residents.”  During National Recovery Month, Boston residents can join author Patrick Radden Keefe to discuss his critically acclaimed book Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty on September 19 at 2 p.m. This event is free to the public and was made possible thanks to the collaboration between ORS, the Office of Arts and Culture and the Boston Public Library (BPL), in partnership with RIZE Massachusetts. Event details, along with a Recovery Month reading list and further resources, can be found at https://www.boston.gov/recovery-month.  The book talk is the latest collaboration that integrates art with recovery. Earlier this month, Mayor Janey announced the City commissioned three murals at the City’s Engagement Center in Newmarket Square by art collective Mz. lcar and artists Rixy and Alex Cook.  “Art can play such a powerful role in recovery, and we’re excited to be a part of this month’s programming,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. “We’ve seen how art has inspired people to make change in their communities and improve their own wellbeing, and we’re continuing to work toward making those opportunities to engage in the arts accessible to all residents.”  Residents are encouraged to participate in the many additional events and opportunities happening throughout the city in honor of National Recovery Month, including:  ·    Fitness events with the recovery community (found on the ORS Recovery Month calendar)  ·    Naloxone (Narcan) information and training opportunities    ·    Virtual Recovery Storytelling on September 13 with Meghann Perry  ·    Recovery Month Celebration Day with the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR) on September 28      ·    International Recovery Day (happening virtually) on September 30  ·    Social media features on @ORSBoston about service partners, community organizations, and local leaders promoting recovery

Kim Janey歡迎13名急救人員畢業生

MAYOR JANEY AND BOSTON EMS CELEBRATE NEW EMT GRADUATES

 

 

BOSTON – Monday, August 30, 2021 – Today Boston Mayor Kim Janey and Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief James Hooley celebrated the graduation of 13 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) recruits in a small ceremony at Faneuil Hall. This graduating class will be assigned to 911 ambulances, bolstering the City of Boston's Emergency Medical Services. “Boston EMS has played a vital role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring residents receive the care they need in every type of emergency,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “Congratulations to our newest class of EMTs. Thank you for your service on behalf of the entire City of Boston, during the pandemic and beyond." This academy class has endured and overcome the challenges of successfully completing an academy while on the frontlines of the City’s response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Boston EMS EMTs and paramedics have provided care to over 5,300 COVID-19 positive patients. “Although our newest EMTs, the men and women recognized today are already seasoned members of the department, having responded to over 2,300 9-1-1 medical emergencies during the academy, including 186 cardiac incidents, 676 illnesses, 241 injuries, 46 overdoses and 205 behavioral health emergencies,” remarked Chief of Department, Jim Hooley.

Today's ceremony formally recognizes the 13 recruits’ successful completion of a demanding post-hire training program for EMTs. Already state-certified EMTs prior to their hire, this graduating class completed an additional six months of classroom and field training while complying with COVID-19 safety protocols. With guidance from experienced EMT field training officers, recruits are not only prepared to care for patients, regardless of the circumstances, they also now understand the level of care, clinical excellence and professionalism expected of Boston EMS EMTs. Boston EMS is one of the busiest municipal EMS providers in New England, responding to more than 120,000 emergency medical incidents per year. As a bureau of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Boston EMS is committed to serving Boston's residents through clinical excellence, emergency planning and preparedness, and community outreach.

麻州長查理貝克訪Everett高中 宣佈100個學區內有疫苗門診

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)親訪Everett高中，
說明州府和學校合作為學生打疫苗。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange) 麻州州長查理貝克8月30日到訪Everett高中，為中小學即將開學，鼓勵學生及所有州民注射疫苗，以加強安全，說明麻州政府刻正和100個學區合作，提供疫苗門診，甚至提供超市禮卡，以增加人們接種意願。

              查理貝克謝謝Everett市和劍橋醫療聯盟合作，辦理這疫苗門診服務，既為學生，家長，也為所有社區人士提供一個方便的注射疫苗服務。他很高興能告訴州民，麻州在接種疫苗比率上，全美排名第二，僅次於佛蒙特州，在新冠病毒住院比率上，排名全美倒數第二，也是佛蒙特州比率最低。到10月1日以後，各學校將可自行決定是否繼續執行，學生到校必須戴口罩的規定。

              查理貝克表示，去年以來，不少學校藉由戴口罩等措施，讓學生到校上課，沒有錯過一天該上學的日子，可見只要小心，讓學生到校是可行的，對學生的身心健康也更有益。

查理貝克和Everett市人員合影。(周菊子攝)

              州政府的規定所有州府員工及合約商都必須戴口罩，不僅是為了每個人的安全，更希望向所有州民傳遞訊息，請大家注意防範新冠病毒，戴口罩，保持安全社交距離。

              在回答現場提問時，查理貝克透露，已有2000多所學校參加州政府的檢測或注射疫苗項目。雖然每個疫苗門診目前只能做到每天為幾百人施打，但州政府的終極目標是每個州民都能接種疫苗，以確保所有人的健康安全。

Everett公校總監Priya Tahiliani說明，該學區內已接種疫苗的學生，16到19歲有74%，12到15歲的也有61%。她們依照麻州中小學教育廳的規定，將等接種率達到80%時，再可慮是否繼續必須戴口罩的規定。

Everett市長Carlo DeMaria今年競選連任，有亞裔
為他舉牌。他笑說要亞裔支持勝利者。(周菊子攝)

            Everett是個人口約僅4萬9075的小城市，亞裔人口約3754人，佔總人口的8.14%。該市市長Carlo DeMaria從2007年當選以來，連任迄今，但今年遇上2名強勁進對手角逐市長大位，一人為Gerly Adrien，一人為 Fred Capone。

Gerly Adrien在5月份時已籌得競選經費約8萬元，不過她花得也多，截至8月5日，她的帳戶只剩下12,873元。Fred Capone則是後來居上，7月份籌得1萬7000餘元，現在帳戶內還有3萬餘元。在位市長Carlo DeMaria到底已在位12年，根基厚實，7月份籌款10萬餘元，現在帳戶內現金已有20萬8000餘元。

波士頓市的9人排球賽，日前就在Everett市舉行，由阮鴻燦、阮浩鑾等人與Everett市協商，在Carlo DeMaria支持下，爭取到非常好的比賽場地。

波士頓選務局公佈選舉相關細節 郵寄投票須在9/8前寄達

(Boston Orange 編譯)波士頓選務局今(30)日公佈為2021年市級選舉所做的準備，包括9月14日的初選，以及11月2日的大選，都可以郵寄投票或提早投票。波士頓市也在全市各地設置了20個選票箱，讓民眾投遞已經填妥的郵寄選票。         郵寄選票的申請書已寄發給波士頓市內每一位登記了的選民。選民需要填妥申請表，簽名，並在9月8日下午5點前送達波士頓選務局，才能符合郵寄投票資格。         郵寄選票必須用預付費的明信片，由美國郵政局，或親自交給位於波士頓市政府大樓241室的波士頓選務局。         如果已登記的波士頓選民未收到或丟失了申請表，可以在波士頓市府的郵寄投票網站上填表，索取新的選票申請。該申請表可以親自，郵寄或以電子郵件，傳真等方式送交波士頓選務局。         波士頓選務局的地址為:          Boston City Hall           City Hall Square, Room 241           Boston, MA 02201           傳真: 617-635-4483, Tel: 617-635-VOTE (8683)          電郵: absenteevoter@boston.gov  THE BOSTON ELECTION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF THE 2021 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS Early voting, ballot drop boxes both available

 

BOSTON - Monday, August 30, 2021 - The City of Boston’s Election Department today announced its preparations ahead of the 2021 Municipal Elections, including the availability of vote by mail and early voting for both the Tuesday, September 14, 2021 Preliminary Municipal Election and the Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Municipal Election. The City of Boston has also installed 20 ballot drop boxes across the city for voters to drop off completed vote by mail ballots.  Applications for vote by mail ballots have been mailed out to every registered voter in Boston. Voters are asked to fill out the application, including their signature, as applications received without a signature will not be accepted. To be eligible to vote by mail in the Preliminary Municipal Election, applications must be returned to the Boston Election Department by Wednesday, September 8, at 5 p.m. Vote by mail applications can be returned by U.S. mail with the prepaid postcard or in-person at the Boston Election Department, City Hall, Room 241. If a registered Boston voter did not receive or lost their application, they can request a new ballot application by completing the form available on the City’s vote-by-mail website. The form can be sent to the City of Boston's Election Department, via mail, email, fax, or in-person. The Boston Election Department is located at  Boston City Hall  City Hall Square, Room 241  Boston, MA 02201  Fax: 617-635-4483, Tel: 617-635-VOTE (8683) Email: absenteevoter@boston.gov  Vote By Mail The Election Department will send out vote by mail ballots as soon as the application requests are processed. Once a voter receives their ballot package, they should follow the enclosed instructions. It is important to sign the yellow ballot affidavit envelope. Unsigned ballot affidavit envelopes will cause a ballot to be rejected. To return ballots by U.S. mail, make sure to apply sufficient postage. While ballot package weight can vary, two First Class stamps is generally sufficient. To be counted, ballots must be received by the Boston Election Department or in a ballot drop box by the close of polls on Election Day, Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 8 p.m. Tracking Your Ballot Boston voters can track their ballot request through the state's website. We will continue to mail ballots as applications arrive, until the application deadline of 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 8, 2021.  Ballot Drop Boxes The Boston Election Department has placed 20 ballot drop boxes around the City, including at both the first and third floor entrances of Boston City Hall. All drop boxes are monitored under 24 hour video surveillance. Drop boxes will also be available at each early voting location during the scheduled voting hours. To find a location of a ballot drop box, visit here. In- Person Early Voting Voters registered in Boston can vote during the early voting period from Saturday, September 4 through Friday, September 10, 2021, at any of the early voting sites. Hours and locations for early voting can be found here. All early voting sites are equipped with electronic poll books for voter check in. Early voting locations are well staffed with poll workers and language interpreters, and fully accessible to voters with disabilities.  Voting on Election Day Polling locations for the Boston Preliminary Municipal Election will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Ballots will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. Language assistance will be available on Election Day by translators at polling locations or by contacting the Election Department’s translation phone bank. Those interested in volunteering can apply to be a poll worker here.  On the Ballot The September 14, 2021 Preliminary Municipal Election includes eight candidates for the Office of Mayor, 17 candidates for Office of City Councilor at-Large and the following City Council Districts: District 4, District 6, District 7, District 9. The remaining districts are not required to have a preliminary election as there are already only one or two candidates running.  For more information on how to participate in this year's elections, please visit boston.gov/election.

民主黨波士頓市第一選區背書支持吳弭當市長

                     Ward 1 Democrats Endorse Michelle Wu for Mayor 

Boston, MA—  The Boston Ward 1 (East Boston) Democratic Committee has endorsed Michelle Wu for mayor. Wu, who has also been endorsed by Councilor Lydia Edwards, will be on the ballot September 14. The top two candidates for mayor will advance to a general election on November 2. 

This endorsement adds to Wu’s support among Ward Committees, where she has already earned the endorsement of the Ward 4 Democrats (parts of Back Bay, Fenway and the South End) and Ward 5 Democrats (Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, and Bay Village). No other candidate in the mayoral race has received the endorsement of any Ward Committee. 

“I’m honored and energized to stand with the Ward 1 Democrats in organizing to build community and transform what’s possible in politics and policy. The issues affecting East Boston are a microcosm of every challenge throughout our city, and I know that together, we can tackle our biggest challenges through building coalitions for bold, urgent leadership,” said Michelle Wu.

I’m excited about the work Michelle has already done to advocate for East Boston, where we have historically had to fight to be heard,” said ward committee chair Vicki DiLorenzo.

The Ward 1 Democrats endorsement adds to the Michelle for Mayor campaign’s enthusiastic coalition of multigenerational, multicultural grassroots supporters including leaders Senator Elizabeth Warren, Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards, Boston City Councilor Liz Breadon, State Senator and Assistant Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico, State Representative and Assistant Majority Leader Mike Moran, State Senator Julian Cyr, Representatives Tram Nguyen, Tommy Vitolo, Natalie Higgins, Vanna Howard, Maria Robinson and Andy Vargas; former State Representative and Assistant Majority Leader Byron Rushing; labor unions Teamsters Local 25, New England Joint Board of UNITE HERE!, Alliance of Unions at the MBTA, MBTA Inspectors Union Local 600, OPEIU Local 453; climate organizations Sunrise Boston, Sierra Club, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, 350 Mass Action; Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale; Boston’s Ward 4 and Ward 5 Democratic Committees; and fellow municipal elected officials from across Greater Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For all of Michelle for Boston’s endorsements, visit michelleforboston.com/endorsements. 

口罩風波 - 市長候選人各有不同意見

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)還有14天左右就是波士頓市級選舉的初選日了，主要的5名波士頓市長候選人在許多議題上的看法大同小異，在打疫苗和戴口罩這事上，因為近來的疫情升溫，讓人更關注他們的態度

             波士頓代市長Kim Janey日前才宣佈，8月27日起，波士頓市室內的公共場合必須戴口罩，那天人們就發現一張她在北端(North End)一家餐廳內，微笑著，沒戴口罩的照片。批評之聲立刻響起。在波士頓環球報追問下，她的辦公室兩度追發聲明，解釋當時Kim Janey在餐館內用餐，她隨後立即戴上口罩，她不但鼓勵市民戴口罩，她自己甚至在戶外時也戴口罩。

             2名都是波士頓市議員的波士頓市長參選人，Andrea Campbell和Annissa Essaibi-George在WCVB電視台的「記錄在案(On the Record)」節目中，卻闡述如果他們是市長，在疫苗和口罩上會採取不同做法。

             Campbell說，她會不只規定戴口罩，還要像紐約、舊金山那樣，規定人們注射疫苗，發疫苗護照。她說，「我們知道，那樣做會增加人們注射疫苗的比率，而”口罩和疫苗才能拯救生命”」。她認為如果聯邦及州政府不要求的話，市府絕對應該自己來規定。沒注射疫苗的市府員工，應該要定期檢測。

             曾經當過老師，也是一名小企業主的Essaibi-George說，「對小企業主來說，這要求得很多，…..，我對疫苗護照這事感到很緊張。對私人經營的餐館來說，要管理或規定，以及確定人們拿出來的是真正的疫苗護照，很困難」。她願意遵循聯邦疾病防治中心(CDC)的指導原則，和醫療專業人員，市府的衛生局一起，探討所有市府可以採取的措施。…………我們需要把重心放在疫苗尚，之前我們沒做全面檢測，現在需要提供更多機會讓人做檢測。大家可以來討論口罩，以及對人們來說比較容易做的事。

             至於是否應該規定戴口罩，Essaibi-George認為應該著眼於規定大型活動得戴口罩，應該要求人們以負責任態度行事，保持距離，戴口罩，確保自己打了疫苗，保持自己的健康，如果暴露在病毒之下，就要趕快檢測，行為舉止要有智慧。

第15屆波士頓牌樓電影節 華林派、麥寶禪武藝協會紛亮相

右起，波士頓市議員Ed Fynn， ACDC主任劉安琪，中華公所英文書記阮鴻燦，
董事陳家驊。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導)亞美社區發展中心 (ACDC)的第15屆波士頓華埠牌樓電影節，今(28)晚放映甄子丹主演的「葉問四:完結篇」，8點前的武術表演，也將由甄子丹母親所創辦的「麥寶嬋太極協會」和黃仁君中國武術中心攜手演出。

(映演途中，約8點48分，突下大雨，主辦單位不得不中止放映)

亞美社區發展中心行政主任劉安琪(Angie Liou)為活動開場致詞，說明去年因為新冠疫情取消活動，今年實在很高興見到那麼多大人，小孩都出來的那麼熱鬧。她說明，牌樓電影節是ACDC致力地方創生這大策略的一部分，ACDC既為地方建造可負擔住宅，也要藉公共裝置藝術等活動，讓波士頓華埠居民真正感受到這裏是他們的家。

華林派師傅Bob Rosen和已長大的徒孫陳成熹。(周菊子攝)

在華埠公園舉行的牌樓電影節之外，在牌樓旁邊的司徒麗英公園那兒有些暫時放置，由藝術家與居民攜手完成的裝置藝術品，在綠茵苑(One Greenway)那兒有黃色鞦韆的故事亭，都是為了讓居民們對華埠更有歸屬感。

波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)也出席致詞，在劉安琪代做普通話翻譯中表示，要因應新冠疫情襲擊，最好的策略是合作，ACDC等機構就在領導這樣的工作。他將和ACDC等機構持續合作，在環保挑戰，可負擔住宅，反亞裔仇恨等許多方面繼續努力，要確保包括移民家庭的所有人都受尊重，有尊嚴的得到公平對待。

ACDC為增加活動的節慶氣氛，還有青少年志工穿上氣球裝，扮成熊貓，在場中分送
發光手環。(周菊子攝)'

愛德華費林還特地介紹當晚到場的2名波士頓市不分區市議員參選人，Erin Murphy和Bridget Nee-Walsh，還有紐英崙中華公所英文書記阮鴻燦，董事陳家驊。

27日晚放映的是2020年拍成，由Bao Nguyen執導，講述李小龍生平的「若水(Be Water)」一片。放映前的演出由華林派師傅Bob Rosen率隊出馬，上場的還有他徒弟余翠梅的兒子陳成熹(Thomas Tran)。他笑說這是三代師徒同場演出。

ACDC的青少年擺出攤位，介紹牌樓電影節及相關活動。(周菊子攝)

              ACDC的牌樓電影節15年如1日，仍由麥寶嬋師傅的徒弟Jean Lukitsh策畫。明(29)晚將放映2018年的香港動作片，葉問外傳:張天志(Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy)」。查詢相關詳情，可上ACDC官網，https://asiancdc.org/events/fatg2021?fbclid=IwAR2czWQ8CG3-u9wpiXP56XP0GEXRGC-2khNWoLXMBxafahfHop7VZOfrnSE。

                 (更新版)

司徒麗英公園旁的藝術活動。

司徒麗英公園旁的藝術活動。

ACDC在華埠公園也安排了許多遊樂活動。

鄺元傑收到波士頓市不分區市議員候選人Bridget
 Nee-Walsh的中文傳單。(周菊子攝)

第15屆波士頓華埠牌樓電影節放映，闡述李小龍的「若水」。(周菊子攝)