Ruthanne Fuller Says She Has A Plan To Combat Opioid Crisis In Newton

NEWTON, MA — As opioid related deaths in Newton rise, its become an issue the next mayor of Newton will have to face. Newton City Councilor and Mayoral candidate Ruthanne Schwartz Fuller announced today she has a plan to combat opioid related deaths and drug dependencies in the city and it means hiring two recovery coaches to help folks handle their recovery.

Last year there was an increase in opioid overdoses and deaths across the state. In Newton the number increased dramatically from 57 in 2015 to 75 last year, according to Newton Public Health. And of those 2016 overdoses, 17 of those were fatal, up from seven the year before.

Fuller said her plan, which would build off Newton Mayor Setti Warren's education and out reach taskforce work on the issue, focuses on long term supporting for those trying to break the cycle of opioid dependency.

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“The road to drug freedom is long and challenging,” Fuller said in a press release today. “Those dealing with drug dependency often need help months or years after the acute incident that may have led them to seek help in the first place," she said. "With one to two Newtonians each week having acute episodes, two recovery coaches are needed right now.”

Fuller also plans to set up support groups led by individuals who have dealt successfully with a drug dependency issue of their own.

She said she would ask the Newton City Council for an annual appropriation of $100,000 for two recovery coaches and $50,000 for a social worker to help the support groups.

“Knowing no socio-economic, geographic, or age boundaries, it is a national, state, and local scourge and all levels of government must do their part if we are to combat it successfully,” she said. “With this plan, Newton will do its part.”

She and her team will be taking questions and discussing the opioid crisis with fellow City Councilor and Brigham & Women’s Hospital’s Greg Schwartz at L’Aroma Café and Bakery on Sunday, July 9, at 1 p.m.

“This initiative won’t end the problem, but if it saves just one life it will be worth it,” Fuller said.

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Image by Jenna Fisher/ Newton Patch