THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 23, 2021 Page 3 Mayor launches Opioid Task Force M ayor Gary Christenson recently announced the creation of an Opioid Task Force to help the city battle the opioid “epidemic within a pandemic.” The Task Force will meet regularly and will use data and research to help inform the way the city can better educate residents about opioid use and addiction, help raise the awareness of recovery services available and serve as a platform for residents who want to publicly or anonymously support the work of the Task Force. Malden has seen a persistent number of drug overdoses and fatalities over the past few years, with a sudden increase over the past several months. Although trending demographic data suggests that Caucasian males in their 30s, 40s and 50s are the group most likely to overdose and succumb to opioid abuse in Malden, no single group has been left unscathed by the opioid problem. According to Member Adam Weldai, Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy; Police Data Specialist David Ritchie; Malden Overcoming Addiction Board Member Dana Brown; and the Pastor of the Nazarene Church of Malden, Gerry Whetstone. Under Christenson’s leaderGary Christenson Mayor Christenson, the Task Force was formed “due to the troubling rise in drug overdoses and fatalities among our residents” and the need to take an “all-hands on deck approach” to help eradicate the problem. In addition to Christenson, the Task Force membership includes Police Chief Kevin Molis; Fire Chief William Sullivan; Malden’s Addiction Recovery Resource Specialist, Paul Hammersley; School Committee ship, city has taken critical steps over the past couple of years to provide prevention services as well as support and recovery services for anyone battling addiction or at risk of being impacted by someone using drugs. The city has supported a full-time Addiction Recovery Resource Specialist in the budget since 2019 and recently worked with local and state leaders to help bring the Bridge Recovery Center to Malden. For additional information on how to support the work of the Task Force, call 781-838-2203 or send an email to Hammersley at phammersley@cityofmalden.org. Malden Democrats to meet via Zoom on Saturday, May 8 T he next meeting of the Malden Democratic City Committee (MDCC) will take place on Saturday, May 8, from 10-11:30 a.m. online via Zoom. These monthly meetings enable residents to connect with fellow Democrats, discover volunteer opportunities and learn about issues and candidates – locally, statewide and beyond. Meetings of the MDCC are open to the public, with Democrats and prospective Democrats especially welcome. To learn more and obtain instructions for accessing the meetings, email maldendemocrats@gmail.com. Also, save the date for future meetings this year, which are held on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom: June 5, July 10 and August 14. As the local arm of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, the MDCC works to elect Democrats and advance the Democratic Party platform. If you are interested in joining MDCC, please contact your Ward Chair for details. (All Ward Chair contact information is listed on massdems.org.) To learn more about activities of Malden Democrats, email maldendemocrats@gmail.com, sign up to receive email updates on the website www.maldendemocrats.org and follow the group on Facebook at http://www. facebook.com/groups/MaldenDems and Twitter (@MaldenDems). AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Is your vehicle ready for the Summer Season?!! Recharge your vehicle's AC for the warm weather! Includes up to 1 LB. of Refrigerant* (*Most Vehicles/Some Restrictions May Apply) AC SPECIAL Only $69.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2008 SCION XD 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA Automatic, 4 Cylinders, Runs & Drives Great, Awesome Gas Mileage, Warranty, Clear Title, Only 118K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! $4,995 Financing Available! 3.5 Ltr., Six Cylinders, Automatic, Most Power Options, Just Serviced, Clear Title, Only 120K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! TRADES WELCOME! $4,995 (781) 321-8841 • (617) 571-9869 Easy 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com Vehicle! We Pay Cash For Your
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