BOSTON — It’s the meeting that some hope will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the fight to address the public health crisis in Boston’s Mass and Cass corridor.
The area, often referred to by the negative nickname ‘Methadone Mile,’ has progressively been getting worse in recent months. Boston 25 News has been showing you the dozens of encampments that continue to appear near Mass. Ave and Southampton Street.
MA Gov. Charlie Baker met with Boston Mayor Kim Janey, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, District Attorney Rachael Rollins and other leaders Tuesday to join forces on this pressing issue. The meeting comes after months of community leaders pleading for the state to publicly get involved in the dialogue.
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“There’s definitely some frustration that the governor, in particular, has not been more vocal on this, especially with his background in health care,” said Jonathan Alves, a South End community activist. “I would say overall, it’s a positive development.”
A long-term solution that many fear won’t be happening anytime soon hinges on a legal battle between Boston and Quincy. Quincy officials have been adamantly opposed to the rebuilding of the bridge to Long Island where Boston leaders want to create a new 500-bed recovery campus.
The idea of using a ferry service has been met with widespread criticism.
“Boston can be a central point, but we cannot take the burden of the entire state and region’s problems,” Alves explained. “A regional state-led approach is really what’s required to make a difference.”
Other communities outside of Boston have also fought recent plans to create new supportive housing opportunities and drug treatment programs.
Tuesday’s meeting could result in more pressure for other cities and towns to get involved.
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“The Baker-Polito Administration has been engaging with the City of Boston and other stakeholders on how to support the City’s efforts to address the Mass & Cass crisis. The Administration supports a regional approach and is making several resources available including treatment beds, supportive housing units and financial support,” said a statement from Sarah Finlaw, a spokesperson with the Baker administration.
Those who have been fighting to bring attention to the issue for years told Boston 25 News a solution is going to require a plan that is both public safety and public health-oriented. It’s unclear exactly how and when the city and state will be moving forward in collaboration.
“This morning’s meeting with the Governor was a conversation about how we can come together to help individuals impacted by the opioid crisis, specifically those living in the area of Massachusetts Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard. The City will continue to work collaboratively with the state and others to bring necessary services to our most vulnerable neighbors,” said a statement from Mayor Janey’s Office.
Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, who has proposed housing homeless drug users in an empty detention center, told Boston 25 News that “all of the principal stakeholders came together for this preliminary discussion.”
“The meeting was positive in nature and sets the groundwork to significantly address the crisis occurring around Mass and Cass,” Sheriff Tompkins said.
November’s mayoral election, between Boston Councilors Annissa Essaibi-George and Michelle Wu, could also play a major factor in the city’s response to the crisis.
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