When the Swellesley Report did the rounds with Wellesley town officials on Sept. 7 about the opioids treatment center that we broke the story about last week (“Opioids detox center plans to open in Wellesley” nobody knew anything about anything).
But in the wake of our story about The Coleman Institute, planning to open in Lower Falls this fall, residents began making their feelings felt — some saying there’s a need even if Wellesley hasn’t been affected as widely by the opioids crisis as other communities, others worrying about its location near a school. On Monday, the Wellesley Board of Selectmen issued a statement to kick off its meeting:
“In response to questions raised by residents about a proposed opioids treatment center called the Coleman Institute to be located in Wellesley at 30 Washington St., the Board of Selectmen reached out to representatives of the center for detailed information. We understand this center is an outpatient physician’s office with a small staff that will serve a limited number of patients. They provide an outpatient withdrawal management process for opioids as well as other highly addictive substances. The Coleman Institute is not a residential treatment facility and will not serve as a walk-in clinic. Rather it is an alternative to these more traditional methods of treatment that has proven effective. The Coleman Institute has complied with all by-right zoning regulations for the area and the medical office requires no further permitting from the town. To provide specific, accurate information about opioid addition and treatments, and to address concerns about the location of this proposed clinic, the Board of Selectmen has invited representatives from the Coleman Institute to speak at its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 22. We encourage all interested residents to attend.”
So it’s a methadone clinic… great. It would be better if it was residential. Now people will be coming into our town to get methadone, then leaving. Do you know the statistics on methadone? Most people “on the clinic” actually still use drugs recreationally and just use the clinic to get dosed in the mornings so they don’t feel sick while they find a way to get their drugs. This town is so uneducated about this epidemic that it’s unreal to me. I’m from newton and this year alone lost 7 of my high school classmates to this epidemic, as well as a family member. It’s closer than you think… lift the Patagonia from your eyes and wake up.
It is NOT a methadone clinic. One of the services they offer is a methadone detox option. Sheesh.
Ok, so call it a Naltrexone clinic.
Recoverymattersma.org is happy to host a town hall meeting for Wellesley residents. We are all affected by this drug crisis
The Coleman Institute in Orange County, CA that opened last year distributes Methadone as part of their accelerated detox. They also distribute sedatives. Outpatients often stay at nearby hotels. Not sure if that is the plan for the new Wellesley location. It is concerning that anyone leaving this facility after treatment will have to drive by St John School on 16 after exiting the parking lot. There have been a number of headlines over the past few years about fatal/serious car crashes caused by people who just got Methadone/sedatives. I remember that story a few years back about the woman jogger in NH who was run down by a guy who just came from an opiate treatment center.
This Town gets worse and worse! I would have my child removed immediately if he/she was attending that school across the Street..lets start welcoming all the Zombies next to this over-built town with constant construction and noise! Why there has to be a medical unit of some sort on every block now is beyond me. Enough is enough and yes I also worry about someone getting hurt or killed by someone leaving that facility after being given medicine! This Town gets uglier and uglier. Where are we going to put everybody that comes here for treatment and everyone else??
Recoverymattersma.org will be in attendance at this meeting. The current drug crisis in Massachusetts yields 5 fatal overdoses a day. As an NP and former resident of Wellesley I am here to say that I treat addicted patients from surrounding towns (just not Wellesley YET! We will be at the meeting to answer questions about addiction, about treatment and prevention. We are neutral in regard to this clinic, but i suggest that you consider that there are people who use drugs in Wellesley, They are your neighbors, your friends and your own family members. Kindness and compassion are free and can’t hurt a single person. What if your family member needed help and you could not afford to fly them to LA or Palm Beach for treatment