Committee Report - PHPS - 11-9-16 — File 202362

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 6 Printed 11/13/2016 November 9, 2016 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John M. Connolly Chair Present Mary Jo Rossetti Vice Chair Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Absent Others present: Alderman Lance Davis, James Donovan - SPD, Dave Rego - SPD, Patty Contente - SPD, Doug Kress - HHS, Annie Connor - Legislative Liason, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees. Also in attendance and participating in the discussion were representatives from the following three organizations: Ryan Harrington Foundation, Alex Foster Foundation and Save our Somerville. The meeting took place at Column Health, 401 Highland Ave., Somerville and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Alderman Connolly and adjourned at 7:13 PM. Approval of the October 19, 2016 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 199520: That the Administration prioritize a public health initiative to control the opiate abuse epidemic, including nearby health and educational institutions and any other available resources. Colin Beaty, a co-founder of Column Health, introduced himself and his company and gave some background information about how it began. Presently, there are clinics in Brighton, Arlington and Davis Square, with more opening soon. The Arlington location services 500 patients, while the Brighton and Davis Square locations service 150 each. All forms of health insurance is accepted by the company. Dr. Carlin, also a co-founder of Column Health, does research on psychiatric drugs and spoke about gaps in healthcare. He told the members that there is a bad market for services out there for people with addiction and explained the need for the services provided by Column Health.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 6 Printed 11/13/2016 The care provided must be consistent will an illness. Column Health is not a single drug clinic. The recording of data is very important to treatment as it allows providers to learn about the treatment. Their clinical data and computer algorithms are not used anywhere else. Other providers are learning from them and improving treatment elsewhere. Alderman Rossetti asked about any grant funding. Mr. Beaty said that the program is sustainable and that the payers are good partners. Dr. Carlin spoke about active engagement with insurance companies and said that there are some innovative payment models. The old fee for service model is not the best. His model aims for payment to have the patient under their care. Mr. Beaty explained how they attract patients and said that they don’t market themselves because they don’t want a waiting list. Dr. Carlin is on the faculty at Tufts Medical School, however, there is no relationship between Column Health and Tufts, nor any other local institutions. He discussed people with addictions ending up in emergency rooms and how it creates an unfortunate situation and misaligned incentive. Some individuals say they are suicidal so they can get placed in a facility right away. The period after detox and returning to the street is a dangerous time for overdosing. It is the goal of Column Health to get patients in pre-detox and right away. Dr. Carlin spoke about how opioids impact the brain, opioid receptors, Narcan, Methodone and Buprenorphine. The latter was described as a safe, but “not a fun” drug. Buprenorphine is sold on the street and if they can prescribe it, the street sales will stop. Ms. Contente spoke about the help and recovery provided by the police and explained that they aren’t looking to arrest people. Police identify mental health issues and create reports, then her department follows up and does outreach. They try to get people engaged in conversation. Ms. Contente said data is being collected with the city’s Police and Fire Departments and she would like to share data on a regular basis. Dr. Carlin would love to share data and will collaborate with the departments. Recovery coaching and bringing people in recovery together was discussed. The goal is to have a recovery meeting in the community once a month. There are 4-5 people considering recovery right now. Jodi Walker said when people go to a facility, their families don’t know how to deal with them when they come home. She asked if Column Health works with the family to deal with the returning family member, and also asked if the treatment centers do walk-ins and interventions. She also asked about volunteers and offered to help.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 6 Printed 11/13/2016 Dr. Carlin said addiction is hard to understand. He doesn’t overuse HIPPA. He doesn’t believe in protecting data at the risk of life. He works to modify family life. Family therapy is there. Families can come to appointments. There is also Narcan instruction. Meetings for families are always available. He explained that addiction treatment is lined up with beliefs. Column is not dogmatic. He starts with “what do you want your life to look like?”. Dr Carlin spoke about how many meetings are required at the beginning of treatment. Walk-ins are difficult, but they will try to accommodate them, however, calling first is a better idea. Column Health also does non- medicated assistance tailored to the individual. Date is used to attempt to prove what works. Early therapeutic techniques were discussed. Column Health is strictly outpatient and they are willing to help with each person’s situation. Column Health is in lieu of detox. They have 24 hour phone coverage and office hours are 10am to 8pm. JoAnn Rivieccio spoke about people who may need evening hours for workers and an extension of the hours in Davis Square wase discussed. Ald. Connolly will invite more players to the next meeting to assist in networking and he will reach out to CHA and Riverside to attend the next meeting, as well. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200846: That the Administration inform this Board of efforts to assist Riverside Community Care, formerly at 78 College Avenue, in finding a new location for its mental health day treatment program. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192737: That this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety arrange for representatives of Riverside Community Care aka Somerville Mental Health Association, to appear before the Committee to explain where the programs are and how the City can assist them. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199724: That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss concerns regarding #198703 and #199522 for public safety at Assembly Row and citywide. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200309: That the Administration arrange for Matrix Consulting to appear before this Board's Public Health and Safety Committee to report their findings on public safety.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 6 Printed 11/13/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200479: That the MassPort Community Advisory Committee seek to address Logan Airport noise, pollution, and traffic issues by sponsoring a regional citizens' forum, an online runway database, and federal research. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200519: That the Chief of Police consider deploying body cameras for all police officers, and prepare a feasibility report within 30 days for this Board's Public Health and Public Safety Committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201410: That the Administration submit a Home Rule Petition relative to allowing Special Police Officers to serve up to age 70. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201777: That the Mayor and the Chief of Police update the city website with expanded information on Police policies on Biased Based Policing, with all recent complaints and outcomes, as well as the complaint filing process and relationship with the Human Rights Commission. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201794: That the Director of SPCD report to this Board on measures to design streets and bike lanes, and educate drivers and bicyclists, to increase safety with respect to the door- opening zone for parked cars. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201889: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 15-17-19 Henderson Street for all code violations and unauthorized removals of stop work orders and unsafe building notices, and report back to this Board on recommended actions to ensure the public's health and safety. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201988: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 33-35 Barton Street weekly for continual overgrowth onto the public sidewalk.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 6 Printed 11/13/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202025: That the Chief of Police, the Chief Fire Engineer and the Director of Traffic and Parking attend the next Public Health and Safety Committee meeting to discuss #200140 regarding a "Don't Block the Box" program. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202182: That the Chief of Police or the Director of SPCD report to this Board on plans to educate motorists about using the “Dutch Reach” to open the driver’s door as a way to avoid “dooring” cyclists. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202183: That the Chief of Police report to this Board why Police Officers don't wear name tags, with his recommendation as to whether they should. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202184: That the Commissioner of Public Works clarify to this Board and Constituent Services, and post on the city’s website, the regulations for putting trash out in plastic bags that are not inside a garbage can. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202319: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 135 Hillsdale Road for an illegal rooming house. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201375: District Attorney responding to #196432 re: the investigation of the murder of Deanna Cremin. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201482: Conveying the Carlson Group's study of Somerville's fire and rescue services. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202292: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 10/13/16.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 6 of 6 Printed 11/13/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202293: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to Board Orders submitted 9/13/16. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202314: Director of Transportation and Infrastructure responding to #201794, #201799, and #202111, re: a safety education campaign for bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE