Dear Governing Body of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

The South End - Roxbury Community Partnership is seeking your help in making our communities comfortable and safe for all. As a collective, we understand there are many components to resolving the homelessness and addiction-related aspects of and created by "Methadone Mile". Yes, we have been informed of the efforts being done behind the scenes. While we're appreciative of the work being done, we must admit these efforts have failed to fully address the issues at hand. 

As this public health crisis becomes increasingly uncomfortable, unmanageable, and dangerous we are asking you to utilize the power you hold as a governing entity to keep our communities safe and sanitary for all. 

We present to you our list of short and long term demands that will result in a comfortable community for all.  

Short - Term: 

• Governor Baker to execute his executive power to intervene and treat the opioid crisis as a prevalent and pervasive Public Health Emergency across the state of Massachusetts
  • Meet with the Governor and state officials to discuss the opioid crisis and the South End Roxbury Community Partnership demands
  • Execute a moratorium on new services in The South End and Roxbury, and beds in the Roundhouse Inn
  • Draft and present a 30-60-90 day plan to the South End Roxbury Community Partnership
  • Disperse services: The state needs to create and fund homelessness/addiction services across Massachusetts now.
  • Activate National Guard to convert city located convention center into a temporary emergency recovery hospital
  • Convert the Shattuck Hospital in JP into a temporary emergency recovery center with NEW supportive housing
  • Develop a public awareness campaign to educate and inform cities and towns about the opioid crisis
  • Public Service Announcement featuring ads and brochures
• Mayor Walsh to execute his executive power to intervene and treat the opioid crisis as a prevalent and pervasive Public Health Emergency in the city of Boston
  • Mayor Walsh, city and elected officials to discuss the opioid crisis and the South End Roxbury Community Partnership demands
  • Ensure the Boston homeless/addiction population receives their needed services
  • Develop a public awareness campaign to educate and inform Boston residents about the opioid crisis
  • Provide a surge of sanitation and public health services to neutralize and keep The South End and Roxbury clean from the effects of the public health crisis
  • Improve the safety and reduce crime in the Methadone Mile area and other impacted areas
  • Bring back regular Bike patrols from B2, C6, & D4 unit
  • Increased number of monitored porta-potties in and around the comfort stations 
  • Increased number of needle exchange kiosks (BMC/AHOPE doesn’t currently disclose how many are available or where they are located)
  • BMC/AHOPE to disclose # of and the location of needle exchange kiosks
  • Create a fence in the BPS Bus Yard (located at the corner of Washington St & Melnea Cass)

Long - Term

• Increase funding for local police patrol units
• Rebuild and reopen the Long Island Bridge and the Recovery Center
  • The state and city must work together to achieve this milestone
• Create an alternative in another section of the state to the movement of Shattuck services to the South End.

Emails for Decision Makers: 

• liz.miranda@mahouse.gov
• jon@jonsantiago.org
• kim.janey@boston.gov
• annissa.essaibi-george@boston.gov
• MAYOR@boston.gov
• mayorkoch@quincyma.gov
• constituent.services@state.ma.us
• Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov
• Michelle.Wu@boston.gov
• MEDIARELATIONS@PD.BOSTON.GOV
• info@bphc.org
• communications@bphc.org

Community Stand Out Info: Every other  Wednesday from 5-7 PM at the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass connector in Boston, MA.