Dear Erin,

Addiction is so painfully lonely for the addict, for the parents and the siblings. The whole family feels worry, guilt, sadness, anger, confusion, hopelessness, abandonment, exhaustion, denial and betrayal. They keep it to themselves because the shame they feel is so overwhelming. I know this because I have lived through it.

I have been working with those in recovery long before I ever ran for elected office. My son was on Long Island in October of 2014 and I received a call in the middle of the night that he was being put in a cab and driven out of recovery. I was terrified for him, and for all of those who may never find their way back to a safe place. I decided that night to no longer stay silent. I had already buried one son, due to illness, and could not bear losing another son. I pledged to share my story in hopes that others would know they were not alone, and that there was help.

The more people I shared my story with, the more I learned that so many families struggle with addiction in silence. They become isolated when what they need most is to be surrounded by people who care. I knew then that we needed to keep talking about it, and we needed to be more supportive and less judgmental.

I ran the Boston Marathon three times in a row to raise awareness around the stigma associated with addiction and mental health and was able to raise over $60,000 for the Gavin Foundation. I was the recipient of the ExtraOrdinary Woman Award given by Mayor Walsh for my tireless advocacy around substance use disorder, the Unsung Heroine Award given by Governor Baker for my work in the community helping those less fortunate, and the James F. Gavin Award for my work fighting the stigma associated with addiction and mental health. All these awards are nice, but the problem continues, so the hard work needs to continue.

I was recognized for my work to end the stigma associated with addiction and for advocating for more recovery services across Boston, and was awarded the Extraordinary Woman Award from Mayor Walsh.

In 2015, after running my first Boston Marathon for the Gavin Foundation, I received the James F. Gavin Award. I went on and ran the marathon in 2016 and 2017 and raised over $60,000 for recovery services and to help fight the stigma associated with addiction. I have been, and continue to be, a strong advocate for those in recovery, those struggling with mental health, their families, and helping to fight the stigma associated with it all.

With John McGahan at the opening of Eileen’s House in Dorchester that opened in July of 2023. It is their first first substance abuse treatment facility exclusively for women! As the Chair of Strong Women, Families and Communities and Co-Chair of Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery, I aim to end disparities to deliver equitable health services to our residents. Eileen’s House is doing precisely that for our vulnerable women in recovery.

Joined Sue Sullivan, and the Newmarket Business Improvement District Street Cleaning Crew, on one of their weekly cleanups in the area.

The area in our city at the intersection of Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Blvd is often called Methadone Mile and every time I drive through there my heart sinks. My first instinct is to look away, but I don’t. I look closely at the people and I see old women, young girls, middle-aged men and teen age boys. I see human lives that have fallen off track and the pain and despair is not only showing on their faces but in their souls.

As an At-Large City Councilor, and the Co-Chair of the Public Health, Homelessness and Recovery Committee, and the Chair of the Strong Women, Families, and Communities Committee, I have made substance use disorder and mental health services a top priority in my office. I secured over 1 million dollars in ARPA funding to support agencies like The Gavin Foundation, NamaStay Sober, and the Phoenix Gym who are on the frontline everyday helping those find a path to recovery.

I have shown up with the Office of Recovery Services on clean up days and helped shovel trash into barrels and safely discard needles. I have received narcan training and always carry it on me. I have worked closely with Sue Sullivan, and the New Market BID, in their efforts to support the local businesses and find ways to respectfully clean up the area. I met with neighbors from the Worcester Square and Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Associations in the South End to discuss their concerns, and I organized clean ups at Clifford Park so those neighbors have a safe and clean park for their kids to play in. All of this good, but more needs to be done. This is a Public Health and Public Safety crisis and we can longer look away.

The tents have come down on Atkinson Street, thanks to an Ordinance we passed on the City Council last year, but the problem has not gone away. Large crowds continue to gather in different pockets around the area, and have spread out across the City. Despite agencies working hard, and many services being provided, concerned residents are reaching out because they feel the situation is getting worse.

The tragic situation at Mass and Cass remains a major public health and public safety concern for all Bostonians and I will continue working with the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Police and community groups to help find solutions. As the situation has worsened and spread out, the dangers have mounted, I will intensify my efforts and I hope my colleagues will join me. I believe we owe that to the people of Boston.

Joined Sue Sullivan, and other community leaders, to get a handle on how the situation was worsening in the area.

Supporting the annual Gavin Foundation Gala.