Town not immune to epidemic

FRANKLIN – Since taking office in 2010, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey each year has noted a rise in deaths resulting from overdoses of heroin and other opioids.

Two years ago there were 63 deaths, he said; in 2014, there were 94. And before he left his Canton office Wednesday, the count for this year stood, already, at 58, including one during the day.

“It’s the single largest problem I have as a district attorney,” Morrissey said, referring to the state’s opioid epidemic. “It’s the largest killer of young people.”

Morrissey joined Franklin Police Chief Stephan Semerjian at Wednesday night’s Town Council meeting to present an overview of their combined efforts to combat the epidemic, including the surge of heroin overdose deaths throughout the state.

Council members summoned the chief after meeting with him privately last week to discuss what actions the department has taken. After the closed-door discussion, the department added information on its website about opioid overdoses: a YouTube video on risk factors and a state report on response strategies.

The town has experienced success with its drug take-back program, Semerjian said, collecting between 2,400 pounds prescription medication in 2012.

Also, he has reached out to the high school, where students will develop short education videos covering treatment and abuse.

“There’s a recognition that Franklin is not immune to the opioid problems that everyone is facing across the state,” Semerjian said. “There’s really not a geographical boundary.”

The state Department of Public Health has reported that there were two heroin overdose deaths in Franklin between January and September of 2014. The department is periodically releasing statistics on heroin overdose deaths that occurred last year.

In Franklin’s annual report for 2014, the police department said there were 35 ambulance responses to reported overdoses.

Morrissey referenced the arrests last week of three men and two women who were allegedly part of a local heroin distribution organization. But he said that drug investigations represent only one way to address the pervasive problem.

“We can’t arrest our way out of it,” he said.

Treatment and awareness are two other solutions, he said. One successful model has involved residents, including students, banding together in coalitions or support groups to shine a light on the pitfalls of abuse, as well as how to start the healing process.

“They present a great opportunity to get the word out,” Morrissey said.

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, who attended Wednesday’s meeting, pledged to help organize such a coalition.

“I’m hoping we can pull this together,” he said.

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting told councilors he would review what other towns have done and draft a proposal for them.

The coalition would provide parents who have children struggling with drug abuse a place to turn, said councilor Robert Dellorco. A local coach, Dellorco said he knows parents who have had to “lock their windows” fearing a child might break in to steal money for drugs.

“These parents have nowhere to turn,” Dellorco said.

Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com.