Opiate Abuse Awareness

March 3, 2014 by PaulM Posted in Education, History, Lowell Leave a Comment

State Representative Tom Golden has been out front and leading on public policy responses to the widespread opiate abuse that is claiming too many lives. In 2013, his advocacy led to the re-opening of Tewksbury Hospital’s Alcohol and Drug Detoxification Center

and working with the Greater Lowell Health Alliance he helped obtain $200,000 in state funds for opiate-abuse education programs in the area. In 2011, at an event at Middlesex Community College, Rep. Golden was acknowledged for his efforts on this issue:

“Across the country we see that teens and parents alike underestimate the dangers of abusing prescription drugs,” said Marcia Lee Taylor, Senior Vice President at The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “We are thrilled to partner with community leaders like Rep. Golden to educate students about the risks of prescription drug abuse and help reduce the number of prescription drug-related tragedies in the Merrimack Valley.”

Consciousness about this public-health crisis is growing. Last October, Jennifer Myers wrote about Opiate Awareness Week in her Room 50 Blog. Read her report on the activities here.