Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announces that Health & Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris sent a letter to the State Department of Public Health authorizing the implementation of a Syringe Service Program in the City of Springfield. The letter also states “the city continues to express concern about the lack of treatment beds for those with substance use disorders who are ready to go into treatment”. The letter, dated July 10, 2018, is below.
Mayor Sarno has previously noted that he is open minded towards having a syringe access program in Springfield, but remains steadfast in the importance of having wraparound services for those affected. He said, “Many of us have been affected, whether through friends or family members directly or indirectly with the negative wrath of health and public safety issues. This opioid crisis has destroyed lives and relationships. Key here is there must be treatment beds and full wraparound services for affected Springfield individuals and families.”
Commissioner Caulton-Harris also wrote that “it is important that the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services remain as an integral part of the process including having input on the structure of the RFP and the evaluation of the responses”.
