HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-25-2014 Human services Report_201403260947527861 1630 701Vn GOU12Cd
• , TOWN OF WATERTOWN
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING-WATBRTOWN,MA 02472.4410
(617)972.6470-FAX(617)972.6485
e "
COM`tITTSE ON HUMAN SERVICES
1. INTERVIEW FOR RE-APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OP HEALTH
2, INTERVIEW FOR RE-APPOINTMENT TO THE WATERTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY
3. TO DISCUSS LWORTS AND PREVENTION Or OPIATE ABUSE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014 @ 6:00 P.M.
TOWN COUNCIL OFFICE,
WATERTOWN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
,
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Councilor Palomba.
In attendance were Committee members Anthony Palomba, Chair, Aaron Dushku, Vice Chair,
and Angeline B. Kounelis, Clerk; Dr, John Straus, candidate for re-appointment to the
Board of Health; tor , David Dalla Costa, candidate for re--appointment to the Watertown
Housing Authority and guests as noted on the attached sign-in sheet.
1. Dr. Straus indicated the Health Dept, has been without a director for over one year
because of the consideration for a possible restructuring of the position. The
decision has been made not to alter the position. Dr. Straus would like to see how the
Town measures--up on health issues such as infant; mortality, substance abuse, wellness
and the elderly. Asked about plastic bags -in the environment, he indicated there Is a
fine line between regulatory expertise and health risks. According to Dr. Straus, the
Interim Director, Donna Moultrup is working well with the three member board.
Councilor Kounelis motioned to recommend to the Town Council the re--appointment of Dr. ;
John Straus to the Board of Health for a term to expire on February 61 2017.
Councilor. Dushku seconded the motion and accepted by a unanimous vote of the Committee.
2. Mr. Dalla Costa has served two terms and looks forward to continuing his
participation. He enJoys being part of the process, specifically the renovations to
the family housing at the Phillip Darch complex. The McSherry Gardens Improvements
will be upcorning. Mr. . Dalla Costa would like to have conversations about possible
planting gardens off of Lexington St., In the area of the Housing Authority's play
ground. Similar to the planting gardens on Nichols Ave.
rouncilox Dushku motioned to recomr.nd to the Town Council the re-appointment of Mr.
David Dalla Costa to the Watertown housing Authority for a term to expire on May 15,
2010,
Councilor Kounelis seconded the motion and accepted by a unanimous vote of the
Comnittee.
3. Valuable information was shared with the committoe from the invited guests relative
to their specific organization and expertise.
Page I of 2
1
Human Services Committee
Wednesday, March 19, 1014
a. Melissa Riley from Advocate Counseling works with the Watertown Police Dept. and the
Police Resource Officer. at Watertown High School. In her opinion, overdoses have
skyrocketed. She indicated that abuse of prescription pain killers can lead to heroin
use and associated increased, crimes in our coi munities. If a family member of someone
suffering from addiction feels the person is a danger to themselves or someone else,
"section 35" can be used to get them assistance for up to ninety days.
b. Jamie Stein from the Cambridge Health Alliance gave an overview of the attached
document "Massachusetts Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative" of which Watertown is a
mel(lber..
c. Stephanie Sunderland--Ramsey from Wayside Youth & PamiJy Support Network spoke about
Watertoon's Death Record Data from 2009 - 2013, The attached document also reflects
the percentages for each type of: drug associated with the unfortunate death.
Councilor Kounells needed to leave the meeting at 6:55 P.M., before final comments and
adjournment of the meeting.
Prepared by Angeline D. Kounelis, 03/19/14
Page 2 of. 2
Continuation of the Minutes of the Committee on Human Services Meeting—March 19, 2014
Ms. Stein explained that the MOAPC(Massachusetts Oploid Abuse Prevention Collaboration)was a
seven-year grant which would foster continual learning and shared prevention strategies for the
communities in the Cambridge/Everett/Somerville/Watertown cluster.
In addition to the information in the materials distributed by Ms. Stein, Ms.Sunderland-Ramsey and Ms.
Riley, the members of the Committee learned about:
- By-Stander training
- Drop Box regulations
- Reasons for the increase in opiate and heroin overdoses
- The successful use of Naloxone and who is allowed to use it
- Under reporting due to the stigma attached to drug use
- The role that pharmacists play in awareness and prevention
- The extensive participation and collaboration of Watertown's Opioid working group
- The lack of awareness among families and parents about what prevention tools are available
While the Committee did not make a specific recommends at this time,some of the suggestions offered
by participates included:
- Informational presentation to the Town Council by Ms. Stein and Ms.Sunderland-Ramsey
- Presentations to the PTOs
- Purchase of an additional Drop Box
- Increase outreach/education through Town facilities
- Town-wide literature drop
- Renting of billboard space
Councilor Palomba thanked Ms. Stein, Ms. Riley, Ms.Sunderland-Ramsey,Wil van Diter, RN from the
Health Department, Richard Arnold, member of the Board of Health, Dr. Straus,Chair of the Board of
Health, and Ms. Lauren Hegarty-Tattrie, a Watertown parent, for attending the meeting.
Councilor Dushku made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Councilor Palomba.The
meeting adjourned at approximately 7:25 PM.
Prepared by Councilor Palomba
C
Von
JoxY) e Nea l-FIB
D '�
Go, �o�{�Svv,3v-GW �?
f 1 � ( Z �fV.J�-�C c�� G•,�.�e,-�u,�,h,Wj��f 7
f{9o7h+ pwmr. NdRse
R!CAAYtq /1v'e4cJ�4
�a/)np; of HEHa7ti
TWm<��
��VID 'DI�GGil Ci�S72) /DU h4?)"t�e'N .Sf �/U/A
CMD !✓07 .S'/CN-/N� , HUUS'INU- f3YT!lGI�ITt'
Massac,ht sell:<i 01:)ioiid Abuse Prevent:on Collabor'aLive
Cambridge Everett Somerville Watertown
+The MOAPC grant is statewide,with over 80 communities across the state working in clusters
to address oploid prescription misuse and overdose prevention, Cambridge has partnered with
Somerville, Everett and Watertown,for a regional approach to reducing oploid use and
overdoses under the Mass DPH Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.
• The purpose of the MOAPC Grant Program is to implement local policy, practice,
systems and environmental change to prevent the use/abuse of oploids, prevent/reduce
fatal and non-fatal oploid overdoses, and Increase both the number and capacity of
municipalities acros4 the Commonwealth addressing these issues
In Watertown:
— 63%of high school students reported lifetime heroin use In 2012; Increased
from 4.6% in 20114.6%
— 3.4%of middle school students reported using somebody's else's prescription in
2012; a decrease from 4.8%In 2011
Strategies During Year 1
1. Prescription Drug Take Back Events April 26, 2014
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which alins to provide a safe,
convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs,while also
educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications,
2, Disseminating Overdose Prevention Materials
3. Educating people about the Good Samaritan Law -
The 911 Good Samaritan law provides protection from drug
possession charges when an overdose victim or an overdose witness seeks
medical attention.
This law helps reduce overdose deaths by removing barriers to calling 911 for
medical
assistance, a crucial step In saving the life of someone experiencing an overdose.
4. Connecting families to Learn To Cope Support Groups
Learn to Cope Is a support group for parents and family members dealing with a loved
one addicted to heroin, Oxycontin and other drugs.
Watertown Death Record Data 2009-2013
35%
y
30%
25%
m Heroin
20% _ pOpiate$
W eenzodiazepines
15% -- inCocaine
to Ethanol
10% L9Prescription
0% 9 7
Percentages
Out of 24 established deaths due to drug use,this is the amount each drug appeared In the data
This data does not Include the 11 pending death certificates,which would bring the total up to 33
deaths ranging between 2009 and 2013
*Prescription meds Include:Oxycodone, Buprenorphlne, Oxymorphlne, Carbamazepine, Mlrtozapine, and
lamotriglne