Joe Avellone is making some serious gubernatorial moves this week. The Democratic candidate for Governor of Massachusetts has not only pulled down two solid endorsements for his Beacon Hill bid, but he announced Wednesday that should he be elected to succeed Governor Deval Patrick, he would create a new office position for the betterment of public health.
In order to combat substance abuse issues, Avellone hopes to create an Office of Recovery to serve under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Currently, substance abuse cases are handled by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse but that office, under Avellone, will be consolidated with his prospective Office of Recovery.
“Substance abuse is a rapidly growing problem in our state that has not gotten the attention it deserves,” said Avellone in a statement.
For over fifteen years, illicit drugs such as heroin and painkillers have brought devastation to our families, communities, and individual lives. Despite the state investing millions of dollars, this problem has continued to plague our cities and towns. In Massachusetts, substance abuse is treated as a crime. We need to change that. In my administration, we will treat substance abuse as a public health issue.
A surgeon by trade, Avellone understands better than most the disparities in the cost of healthcare as well as the aid available for those suffering from not only substance abuse issues, but mental health as well. Should his new office come into fruition, he hopes to employ regional staffers to help coordinate effective partnerships with “local detox and rehabilitation facilities so that every person can easily find immediate treatment for those in need of help in their area,” according to his press office.
Recently Avellone was endorsed by Boston City Councilor Tim McCarthy and prior to that, Worcester Mayor Joe Betty. Though endorsements can often be an overhyped way for a candidate to bolster his campaign, if nothing else, Avellone’s two endorsements exemplify the optimistic extent throughout the commonwealth which his overall healthcare initiatives resound with Bay Staters.
