This past Monday sprawled out, semi-conscious or otherwise, the scourge of drug addiction was on public display as an obstacle on the Babe Ruth baseball field in the person of a strung-out human being (aka junkie). Because people were afraid to have physical contact until a medic or police officer arrived, the game played on. Just beyond right field, not clearly visible in the photo, were others in a close-to-similar state of intoxication.
Moakley Park, as reported here before, has become a haven for the underbelly of the opioid crisis given both its wide-openness and also that it is out of sight of neighborhood residences, except for the public housing developments nearby. It’s proximity to Southampton Street via Preble Street, which passes through Andrew Square to the dark side known as The Methadone Mile on through to Boston Medical Center makes it appealing to the addicted. Would that these people seek the support of those who attend meetings regularly at Saint Monica’s.
But to the concern at hand, the epidemic is real and extensive. The Commonwealth’s government and public health professionals are trying to address it, but the stark reality depicted in the photo, calls for stepped up enforcement of the law, as it affects the public safety of residents and citizens, especially the youth, who use Moakley Park as their sports venue of choice.
Councilor at Large Michael Flaherty stated, “It’s an absolute disgrace that children using the ball fields and recreation areas have to step around people, who are passed out on the ground because of drug use. Moakley Park is a place where our youth and families should be able to go to play baseball, run, walk their dogs and enjoy all a city park has to offer without having to deal with drug use, as well as drug dealing.”
Flaherty added, “One long term solution will be to reopen the treatment center at Long Island, so that people addicted to dangerous drugs can get the permanent help they need. An immediate solution; in addition to law enforcement in the area is for people to stop enabling many of the afflicted with money at the stop lights near Andrew Square and the South Hampton Street and Albany Streets areas as well. Though it can be heart wrenching to see those afflicted; many of them young in age, the money they are given can often be used to buy more drugs”.
District Councilor Ed Flynn noted, “I certainly agree that efforts should be increased to reopen the Long Island treatment facility”. Flynn also stated that he “wants more police patrols and enforcement at Moakley Park and other drug use and dealing hot spots to help put an end to the problems there”. Like so many other local parents, Flynn too has a child playing Little league Baseball at Moakley Park and is concerned not only for his child but for the children of his neighbors and visitors, as well.
Boston Police Department sources commented that the police from C-6 all the way up to Mayor Walsh are firm believers that Moakley Park should be a safe and kid/family friendly place for everyone to enjoy the great recreation and sports facilities there, but police say it can get frustrating at times. They spend much of their time moving the homeless out of the Andrew Square area and Preble Street and often they wind up at the park.
The police from C-6 have been working with the Andrew Square Civic Association as well as the youth baseball coaches and are doing everything in their power, and all that’s legally possible, to put an end to the situation and they will be increasing their presence whenever possible. They are confident in their ability to control this situation and they consider Moakley Park a priority.
While addressing opioid abuse and its residual effects on families and neighborhoods are found in headlines attributed to candidates for re-election like US Senator Elizabeth Warren and Governor Charlie Baker, it’s the local community that is affected daily. The adage that ‘people can’t afford to wait for the ‘perfect’ solution, because there is none’ is apropos of this serious issue. Furthermore, there are those who believe that action ‘must be taken no matter the price’. The future price is likely to be geometric.
