Opiate Recovery Treatment Facility One Step Closer to Reality

TEWKSBURY, MA - With the House of Representatives’ budget deliberations now in the rearview, legislators across the state now find themselves sizing up their individual wins and losses when it comes to the over 1,300 budget amendments that were submitted for consideration.

Among this huge number were several significant amendments filed by Representative James Miceli, aimed at bolstering an array of organizations and institutions that have made their presence known in both Tewksbury and Wilmington.

There are very few Tewksbury residents who have not heard of Into Action Recovery, Inc., an advocacy organization founded by sisters Patty-Jo Hanley and Mary-Ellen Cooper in 2015. The group, which is a non-profit and includes a number of Tewksbury Hospital staff, has been nothing but persistent in it is goal to provide long-term treatment for opiate addiction; however, it has just been missing one thing: a residential facility to treat those afflicted with addiction. Since its establishment just over a year ago, Into Action Recovery has hosted numerous fundraising events and helped to spread awareness about the deadly impact of the opioid epidemic in Tewksbury, as well as the surrounding communities.

Cooper and Hanley, along with the organization’s Board of Directors, remain steadfast in their mission to purchase a residential building for treatment purposes. In a recent meeting with Governor Baker which was reported by Sheryl Walsh of the Tewksbury Town Crier, Cooper was quoted as saying, “We are dedicated to opening a program in the Tewksbury, Wilmington, and Lowell area to service adults with addiction. Our program will be highly structured and will be affordable, so that local families will be able to send their loved ones for quality treatment.”

Following the passage of the House budget, this program is one step closer to reality. Representative Miceli, who has been a vocal proponent of Into Action Recovery since its inception and has attended several of its fundraisers over the past year, made funding for the group a top priority going into budget discussions.

In the end, Miceli was able to acquire $200,000 for Into Action Recovery, “for the purchase and renovation of an opiate recovery treatment facility.” When asked about what the future holds for Into Action, Miceli stated, “I see a very bright future ahead. I have seen this organization grow substantially, and I have the utmost confidence in those who have taken it this far.”

In addition to the amendment procuring funds for Into Action Recovery, Representative Miceli also filed amendments pertaining to Tewksbury’s Special Needs-based Camp Pohelo and the Tewksbury State Hospital. A total of $20,000 has been earmarked for Camp Pohelo, while the amendment geared toward the hospital simply ensures that the number of beds available for Fiscal Year 2016 will be retained for Fiscal Year 2017. Miceli characterized the hospital amendment as a “precautionary measure,” intended to curb any attempts by the state to reduce the number of available beds.