HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
April 17, 2013
A meeting of the Homeless Outreach Program Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, april 17, 2013 at 10:00 am at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Officer Dennis King of the Salem Police Department, Valerie Sweeney, LPN of Lifebridge and Jane Guy of the City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development. Also present was Angel Vazquez, a student at Salem State University.
Ms. Sweeney stated that she is a nurse and outreach worker at Lifebridge. She goes out approximately four nights were week and sometimes in the morning. She stated that she felt there is a need for a needle drop box in Salem. Needles are being thrown out behind the Hess gas station and into the water. The closest drop box is at a CVS in Peabody. She noted that Lifebridge cannot have a needle exchange, but that people are re-using needles.
Officer King stated that the Salem Police Department will pick up needles if they get calls from citizens who find them.
Ms. Sweeney stated that she has a sharps box in her car and often picks up needles and brings them to Beverly Hospital for disposal.
Officer King stated that he will look into how the drop boxes work and will speak with Larry Ramdin, the City’s Health Agent.
Ms. Sweeney stated that the majority of heroin users on the streets are a younger population of 20-34 years old. She estimated that there are 14 on the street or staying in groups in one apartment or couch surfing. The areas they use include the harborwalk, Museum Place alleyways and various bathrooms, such as Dunkin Donuts, Wendy’s and the Hawthorne Hotel. She also stated that there is a need for more mental health services. She stated that users often don’t cleanse and wrap sores and cuts on their arms and then lean onto tables in places like Dunkin Donuts, which can be a health issue because not all restaurants spray clean each table after use. She added that users do what they can to afford drugs and that bike theft seems to be very popular.
Officer King stated that he has gootten calls about needles at the MBTA fanhouse. He stated that detectives and undercover officers hammer the harborwalk area. He noted that this is the first time this needle issue has come up at this meeting and that it will result in more time being spent on the issue. He added that moving the problem from these areas may result in an intial increase in calls from other areas. He added that they continue to get calls for vestibule sleeping for the same three or four people.
Ms. Sweeney stated that the winter protocal has ended. She stated that she will be speaking at North Shore Community College for the LPN Program and will be looking to get volunteer outreach workers.
The next meeting will be July 17, 2013.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
| 