Mayor Pushes President, Congress For Drug Law Changes

MEDFORD, MA — Mayor Burke announced Friday morning that she is joining more than two dozen mayors from across the state in pushing for legislation related to stunting the opioid epidemic. The mayors are pushing for a federal law change which would allow the Drug Enforcement Agency to pursue inappropriate wholesale prescription drug distribution.

"The opioid epidemic is one that has spread throughout communities across the country and remains an underlying issue, which we must continue to focus on," said Burke. "Together, we must continue to fight the epidemic of overdose and advocate for resources as it remains critical for the entire country. There needs to be more done at the federal level and together we must address the most significant growing public health issue."

A letter, signed by Burke and other mayors and addressed to President Trump and Congress, asks the next drug czar "be free of financial or other connections to the prescription drug distribution industry, and be of unassailable professional and personal character," and that Congress repeal and replace an April 2016 law stripping the DEA of critical enforcement authority.

The list of signatories includes:
Mayor Richard Cohen, Agawam
Mayor Michael P. Cahill, Beverly
Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan, Braintree
Mayor Bill Carpenter, Brockton
Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Cambridge
City Manager Thomas G. Ambrosino, Chelsea
Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Everett
Mayor Jasiel F. Correia II, Fall River
Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale, Fitchburg
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Gloucester
Mayor William F. Martin, Greenfield
Mayor James F. Fiorentini, Haverhill
Mayor Dan Rivera, Lawrence
Mayor Gary Christenson, Malden
Mayor Arthur Vigeant, Marlborough
Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke, Medford
Mayor Robert J. Dolan, Melrose
Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford
Mayor Donna D. Holaday, Newburyport
Mayor Setti Warren, Newton
Mayor Richard J. Alcombright, North Adams
Mayor Ted Bettencourt, Peabody
Mayor Linda M. Tyer, Pittsfield
Mayor Brian M. Arrigo, Revere
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Springfield
Mayor Thomas C. Hoye, Jr., Taunton
Mayor William Reichelt, West Springfield
Mayor Scott D. Galvin, Woburn

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