THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 Page 17 BHRC | FROM PAGE 16 sionals. By doing this, we expand access to addiction treatment and add another tool to fi ght against opioid addiction at minimal cost.” HIV PREVENTION DRUGS (S 2955) — The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer a short-term supply (60-days once in a two-year period) of HIV prevention drugs, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP), to a patient without a prescription. The bill requires pharmacists to provide counseling regarding the use of PrEP and to connect patients without a primary care provider with a health care provider for ongoing care and to obtain a prescription for PrEP. “PrEP is a game changer in HIV prevention that reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 99 percent,” said Sen. Julian Cyr (D- Truro). “While there has been great progress in managing HIV since the virus was fi rst identifi ed, tens of thousands of people continue to contract HIV each year, and gay and bisexual men, especially gay and bisexual men of color, are disproportionately impacted. Increasing access to this vital treatment by enabling pharmacists to prescribe PrEP and improving access to care by requiring pharmacists to link customers to medical care will bolster the Commonwealth’s overall public health and address health care inequities.” ANOTHER REP ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE — Eight-year incumbent Amesbury Republican Rep. Jim Kelcourse has become the seventh representative to announce his resignation from the House to take another job. Kelcourse was confirmed by the Governor’s Council for a position on the State Parole Board that grants and supervises parolees . He resigned his House seat last week, bringing the total number of GOP members in the House to 27. Democrats currently hold the other 126 seats. “While I’m genuinely looking forward to serving the commonwealth in a new way in my new role, I will miss this job and this body,” said Kelcourse in his farewell speech on the House fl oor. “I won’t miss running for re-election every two years, but I will miss going door-to-door to talk to people in my district. I will miss picking up the phone at my offi ce and helping someone fi nd a new apartment or with their unemployment, or a small business with getting their utilities hooked up. I will miss how it feels to help in the way that all of us can and do in this role.” Kelcourse joins a growing list of resignations including former Reps. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead); Claire Cronin (D-Brockton); Maria Robinson (D-Framingham); Sheila Harrington (R-Groton); Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston); and Tom Golden (D-Lowell). HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of BHRC | SEE PAGE 18 BOSTICA | FROM PAGE 10 21 and older and they would have to wear visitor badges. “We’d demand a person’s ID to make sure they’re 21 and older,” Capano said. He added that younger people and children cannot accompany an adult into the store. In addition, consumers will not be allowed to “light up a joint” after they leave the store, and he noted that they would be monitored closely for violating that regulation. “Every square inch of this facility will be under video surveillance,” Capano said. He said the company is interested in helping the town in any way possible, not just in selling marijuana products. “We want to know how we can be the best fit for Saugus,” he said. 8855-GO-4-GLAS55-GO-4-GLAS We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! 781 233 4446
18 Publizr Home