Gov. Baker Proclaims ‘No First Time’ Day

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito (left) issued a Proclamation declaring ‘No First Time Day’ in the Commonwealth. Looking on at the State House ceremony are Stephanie and John Greene of Easton) who launched The Evan G. Foundation and its ‘No First Time’ early education anti-drug campaign shortly after their son Evan died of an overdose in 2014. In his remarks, Gov. Baker said that he first met the Greenes early in his election campaign and their story was an impetus to set fighting the opioid epidemic as a major focus of his term. Drugs killed 2,000 Bay State residents and some 70,000 Americans during 2017. He and Lt. Gov. Polito said the numbers appear to be stabilizing – an 8% decline in Mass. between 2016 vs. 2017 -- and gave credit to programs like ‘No First Time.’ The Baker administration has added 1,100 treatment beds and increased state addiction spending by 60%.

At the State House ‘No First Time Day’ Proclamation ceremony were Governor Charlie Baker (in 2nd photo, 3rd from left), and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito (far right). Holding the Proclamation that “encourages all citizens to support The Evan G. Foundation and its work” are: Stephanie Greene (4th from left), daughter Madison (center), and husband John Greene. Also shown are Stan Hurwitz, PR consultant (far left), family friend Alex Sheldon (2nd from left), and State Trooper / drug expert John Fanning (2nd from right) whose PowerPoint presentation is a dramatic piece of the ‘No First Time’ programs. During 2017, the team visited 30 schools and reached 6,500 students, including a presentation at Stoughton High. “No other parents should ever have to endure what the Greene’s have gone through,” Gov. Baker said.

The Evan Foundation and its ‘No First Time’ Early Education Drug Awareness Program were recipients of a Community Spirit Mini-Grant by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation. The charity has been featured regularly in the media.

For more information and/or to make a tax-deductible (501 C 3 charity) donation, visit http://evangfoundation.org/. To schedule a presentation for your school, organization, or community program, email nofirsttime@gmail.com . Checks made payable to ‘The Evan G. Foundation’ may be mailed to The Evan G. Foundation, 234 West Center St., West Bridgewater, Mass. 02379. - By Stan Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com / 508-269-0570

(photos courtesy of Gov. Baker’s Press Office)