The Charlestown Coalition News:

Issue 81

May 2023

Recent Community Losses & Risks of Overdose

The Coalition and Charlestown Trauma Response Team would like to formally take a moment to acknowledge recent losses in the community.

Unfortunately, it is anticipated that there will be more, especially due to new substances being cut into opioids and heroin. Fentanyl is a highly dangerous substance that even in small amounts can lead to fatal overdose. Xylazine is a sedative, not an opioid and can cause unresponsiveness, slowed heart rate, reduced breathing and other problems.

WCVB Article on Charlestown

"String of recent fatal overdoses in Boston neighborhood raises concerns about mix of drugs"

Read/Watch Here

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE STRUGGLING, PLEASE REACH OUT FOR HELP.

STEPS YOU CAN TALE TO STAY SAFE AND BE PREPARED WHEN IT COMES TO FENTANYL.

1.) Educate yourself: Learn about the risks associated with fentanyl, its potency, and its potential to be mixed with other substances.

2.) Do not take drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor or obtained from a licensed pharmacy.

3.) Test your substances: If you must use substances use a fentanyl test kit to detect the presence of fentanyl or other dangerous substances.

4.) Carry naloxone: Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Consider carrying a naloxone kit with you, and learn how to use it properly - you can obtain this at your local pharmacy.

5.) Seek help: If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, seek help from a healthcare professional, addiction specialist, or support group.

6.) Spread awareness: Share information about fentanyl and the risks associated with it with your friends, family, and community.

SIGNS THAT SOMEONE MAY BE EXPERIENCING AN OVERDOSE:

-Breathing problems, including slow or shallow breathing or choking sounds

- Bluish tint to the skin or lips

- Pinpoint pupils or blurry vision

- Cold and clammy skin

- Extreme fatigue or confusion

- Inability to speak or respond

- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness

It's important to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms.

The Charlestown Trauma Response Hotline is available for anyone to use at any time for assistance.

(617) 726-0058 during business hours (9 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.)
(617) 643-0449 after hours (5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.)

Please allow up to 24-48 hours for a response back. If you are in immediate risk, please call 911 or go to your closest emergency room. If you have questions please contact, Phenice Zawatsky at (617) 726-0058.

Mother's Day Walk for Peace

Phenice joined Trauma Response Team member Suzy and many others in the Louis. D. Brown Peace Institute Walk on Mother's Day. We even ran into a familiar face! We raised $1500 in honor of Steven Jones. All proceeds will go to the Peace Institute to support their programming. Thank you to all those that donated, shared our posts and cheered us on! We appreciate your support and generosity!

Thank you, Dareen!

In the beginning of May, we said goodbye to Dareen, our intern for Academic year 2022-2023. We have greatly appreciated Dareen’s energy, how intentionally she listened to those around her and her reflections with the community. During her time here, Dareen held a weekly group, saw clients through local community partnerships with the Charlestown Adult Education and Warren Prescott K-8, in addition to supporting some of our TIA youth. She assisted in event coordination for a variety of coalition events and learned from others through various Steering Committee and Task Force meetings. Dareen’s work will live on through her great session plans she’s created to help support our youth and the connections she’s made within her time here. We are incredibly grateful to her commitment to the Family Support Circle and the Coalition in its entirety this year.

Mswati named Harbor Hero, 2023

On May 23rd, Save the Harbor, Save The Bay presented a Harbor Hero award to Mswati in recognition of his work in service of youth and the Boston Harbor, specifically supporting and promoting fishing trips and all access cruises, making the Boston Harbor accessible for Boston Youth.

Congratulations, Mswati!

Mystic River Watershed Assoc. Peace Park Clean Up

Mystic River Watershed Association did some light park maintenance, crafts and more with the community earlier this month. We are so grateful for their partnership, especially when it comes to education on climate resilience!

For more information or to get involved in all things Peace Park, please reach out to Ciara.

Charlestown High School Job Shadowing!

We were so happy to host Gyanna and Faith (not pictured) from Charlestown High this month to show them what working at a Community Health Coalition is all about. This photo shows Mel, Community Resource Specialist, showing Gianna a bit of her day to day work. Thank you CHS for reaching out to us to partner and have us host students!

Wellness Event Highlight

The Annual Mental Health Awareness Month Event was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who tabled, provided activities, resources, stopped by, spread word of the event, and enjoyed a day in community under the sun with us. We can’t wait to keep this momentum going and hold events like this throughout the summer. To our partners in this event, THANK YOU! The Kennedy Center, NEWHealth, Careforth, COASA, MGH Charlestown, Weigh Better U, Planting Seeds for a Healthier Charlestown, Charlestown Dogs, and TIA.

Trauma Team Highlights

We wanted to take a minute to acknowledge our Trauma Response Team Members who made their mark in May.

Congratulations to Shannon on 19 years sober - you are an inspiration.

Congratulations to Tina on obtaining her Community Health Worker Certification!

Happy Birthday to George and to Javon this month as well. We couldn't do what we do without every one of you.

Recovery Court Graduation

Yet another Recovery Court Graduation took place in late May. We are so grateful for continued partnership with Boston Municipal Court - Charlestown Branch, the probation department, and community members like Shannon Lundin. This month, Deb Standeford, Program Director of the Charlestown Recovery House, spoke on behalf of the graduating participant and the paths to recovery. We were also joined by guest Sophia Moon of Essem Studio, who sang a beautiful original song. Pictured L to R: Jeffrey Kyi of Probation Department, Sophia Moon, Shannon Lundin, Honorable First Justice Lisa A. Grant.

To learn more about the Recovery Court process, please visit this website or reach out to the Coalition.

Community Partner Spotlight: Dr. James Morrill

This month, we want to acknowledge Dr. James "Jim" Morrill at the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center. For those of you that have the pleasure of interacting with him, you already know why we are highlighting him! Dr. Morrill is one of the kindest, most selfless humans we've ever met - always making a point to continually ask what the community needs from him and from the health center, forging new partnerships and showing up when it really counts. Dr. Morrill not only holds a full clinic where he sees Adult Med patients and those with SUDS, but is at every single Race Dialogue meeting and is always giving of his time and resources. We could not be more grateful for this human, stretching outside of the system to support any way possible. Thank you, Jim!

Have someone to nominate? Reach out to Ciara!