In America, Heroin, and prescription opiates are claiming more and more lives. In Massachusetts, its reached a critical mass, and the Government is taking action. This story in The
Boston Globe explains Charlie Bakers Plan (may be behind a paywall if you frequent the site).
Overall its about 28 million dollars and it adds beds in in-patient care and invests in PSAs in hopes of reducing the stigma and bring addicts out of the shadow, in addition
The additional money includes $14 million to pay higher rates for services at the state’s roughly 100 recovery houses, places where people live after addiction treatment but before they are ready to manage on their own; $5.8 million to remove from prison women who were civilly committed for substance abuse and place them in state-run hospitals; and $5 million for school programs on the dangers of opioids.
I would actually like to thank Governor Baker for taking such action. Removing people from prisons in putting them in State hospitals, and helping them, rather than punishing them for a problem the have is something all states need more of.
In addition it allows Law Enforcement and other first responders broader access to the antidote.
Massachusetts has lost over 1,000 people to opiate addiction last year, and the problem is accelerating, I would also implore you to talk to your elected officials to push for a similar program before the problem gets as bad as it has in New England in your state.