CASA still addressing Alcohol Abuse,but Now Focusing Also on Opioid Crisis

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

For years CASA (Community Against Substance Abuse) has typically received funding to combat underage drinking and it still does, but one thing that’s apparent is that while underage drinking is still an issue, the opioid crisis is even bigger.

Over 60 people attended a meeting at CASA last Thursday night, which was the third community meeting CASA has held and the one with the largest turnout.

According to CASA statistics Winthrop is 17th in the state for opioid overdoses, with 43 overdoses happening in 2015. The age group most impacted by opioid epidemic is 45-64 year old males. Yet, at Winthrop High School eight percent of students report prescription drug use in the last 30 days (the state average is three percent using daily), which is often a stepping-stone to opioid abuse.

“We heard a need from the community that we have to have a focus,” Epstein said.

According to Amy Epstein, director of CASA, the first step in battling the opioid crisis is to address the stigma. Second is to understand the science of addiction and understand that addiction is not a choice. CASA will continue to engage the community and keep doing its existing work. This spring CASA will host a “Spring Cleaning Event” for people to clean their cabinets of unused or out of date prescription drugs and to engage the community in learning about the resources available.

“The one barrier to fighting addiction is stigma,” Epstein said. The state Department of Public Health has recently launched a program to let people know about “Stigma Free Zones.” Not passing judgment, acknowledging addiction as a disease, letting people know help is available and that it’s ok to ask for it. There is also a place on the website where you can pledge to support this effort.

“We have to get past the ‘my kid wouldn’t do that’,” Hurley said, adding that a new youth survey will be given in the spring.

Attending the meeting were Winthrop Town Councilor Paul Varone, former Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo, state senate candidate and Winthrop resident Joe Boncore, police officer Jim Feeley (a Narcan instructor), Winthrop School Committee members Tino Capobianco and Ron Vecchia, peer recovery coaches, people in recovery, parents of addicts, a pharmacist from a major chain, clergy, a member of the Board of Health, and more. People coming from all walks of life to help combat the problem.

Meredith Hurley, the town’s public health nurse, said the other problem on the rise in town is Hepatitis C.

“It’s doubled in the past few years, primarily due to injectable drugs,” she said. “And we’re finding it in a younger age group.”

Hurley hopes to be able to expand the hours that recovery coaches work. Currently, there are two who work up to 20 hours a week and are paid for through a grant with the Winnisimmet Opiate Collaborative, which also includes Chelsea, Saugus and Revere.

People at the meeting were also reminded of the Good Samaritan Law, which protects people helping someone who is overdosing. The brother of one man who died from an overdose last summer said the person helping his brother ran away.

“They left him behind,” the man said. With the Good Samaritan Law there is no need to leave anyone behind.

Another reminder was offered about Narcan (the drug used to reverse overdoses). Now anyone can get Narcan at a pharmacy without a prescription. Depending on insurance coverage it may be covered with a co-pay. It is suggested that anyone who receives an opiate prescription should get Narcan.

Last week the state legislature passed a law limiting opioid prescription to only a seven-day supply.

The next meeting of CASA will be held Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at 18 Bartlett St.