Mayor Jasiel Correia believes that it is time to change to focus of efforts to combat drug abuse. He plans to hold a news conference on Monday, January 11th to discuss the issue.
“For years, the approach has been heavy on law enforcement without enough emphasis on treatment and prevention. While we need to enforce the law, we also need to look at drug abuse for what it is, first and foremost: a public health issue. This requires a comprehensive response, from education in the schools to interventions on the streets. I want Fall River to become a model in the fight against the scourge of drug abuse. There is no greater issue affecting our quality of life.”
As part of the Initiative, the Department of Health and Human Services will bring on board a Substance Abuse Prevention Co-ordinator, Michael J. Aguiar, the long-time Prevention Services Director at SSTAR, Michael J. Aguiar. Mr. Aguiar has decades of experience in this field, including positions at the New Bedford Department of Health, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and the New Bedford Mayor’s Drug Free Community Partnership, prior to his work at SSTAR.
A Certified Prevention Specialist, Aguiar will be co-ordinating efforts with the police department and city schools as well as supervising all relevant grants and serving as the city government’s laison to the community.
Mayor Correia added, “This Initiative is just an example of how my administration is going to re-organize government to better respond to the needs of the community, without increasing the burden on the taxpayers.”
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