Controversy Surrounds New Drug Treatment Center’s Proposed Location in Worcester

WORCESTER, MA – Worcester residents are voicing concerns over the planned establishment of a new drug treatment center in their community, highlighting the proposed location’s proximity to schools, bus stops, and elderly housing. Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a nonprofit organization, is set to open the center in the Main South neighborhood, which primarily comprises people of color and low-income families.

Community members are frustrated by what they perceive as a lack of transparency from Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. Worcester resident Rivera expressed her frustration, questioning the nonprofit’s decision to locate the treatment center in an area already populated by schools, churches, bus stops, and housing for the elderly. Sharon Gordon, another resident, acknowledged the good work done by Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. but emphasized that this particular project may not be suitable for the neighborhood.

Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. currently operates a mobile clinic at the proposed location, where they provide methadone, suboxone, and vivitrol treatments for individuals battling addiction.

Addressing the concerns of the community, the medical director at the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University urged residents to shift their focus towards the lack of access to treatment, stressing the importance of providing support to those in need.

In response to the controversy, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. released a statement emphasizing the growing demand for accessible substance use care. The organization pointed out that the Worcester region witnessed an 18% increase in overdose deaths in 2022, making the need for additional treatment centers even more critical. According to data from the state Department of Public Health, opioid-related deaths have been on the rise statewide since 2019.

The debate over the drug treatment center’s proposed location continues to unfold, with residents and Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. both expressing their perspectives on the matter. Community concerns persist as the nonprofit organization works to address the increasing demand for substance use care in Worcester, emphasizing the urgent need for accessible treatment options in the face of the ongoing opioid crisis.

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