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Peabody’s opioid-related deaths more than doubled since 2016 By Christopher Roberson
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espite continued efforts by the state and local governments, 23 Peabody residents still lost their lives in 2017 to substance abuse. According to the state Department of Public Health, this is the highest number the city has seen since 2013. In contrast, there were 11 deaths in 2016, 11 deaths in 2015, 13 deaths in 2014 and 12 deaths in 2013. Wendy Kent, director of Behavioral Health and Prevention Programs at Bridgewell, said Lynn and Salem have also seen higher mortality rates. “A lot of people are unknowingly taking fentanyl,” she said. Kent said Lynn has been hit especially hard with 59 deaths in 2017 compared to 46 deaths during the prior year. The unsettling truth, Kent said, is that the drug cartels have “far more resources” than the government. “We’re not dealing with the same drug that was on the street a year
ago,” she said, adding that many users would rather overdose and die than suffer the effects of withdrawal, and “We’re also seeing a lot of young, new users who have no idea what they’re doing.” Therefore, Kent said, efforts are underway to identify and study the causes of overdose trends. There is nothing easy about this work. “It’s very frustrating, there’s so many layers to it, we’re battling a disorder that’s very complex,” she said. “We just have to keep trying.” Although the number of fatal overdoses has climbed drastically throughout Peabody, Kent said Bridgewell and other treatment organizations have continued to make progress in the long-term. “We’ve moved forward; we’re not in the same place we were five to 10 years ago,” she said. Speaking about the epidemic in May of this year, Gov. Charlie Baker said fentanyl has been found in 85
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Friday, July 27, 2018
YMCA Metro North holds 34th Annual Golf Tournament
The YMCA of Metro North held its 34th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday morning at the Kernwood Golf Club in Salem. Participants enjoyed an 18-hole tournament followed by lunch and mingling. Funds raised will allow children to participate in YMCA activities. Shown above, Julie Gerraughty joined Paul McGinnity from the Barber Shoppe Off The Square in Peabody before the golf tournament. See more photo highlights on page 9. (Advocate photos by Katy Rogers)
You win some, you lose some
Faith Christian Academy gets green light from School Committee By Christopher Roberson
dents. “It’s a very small school,” she said. he School Committee reMoux-Santiago said the acadcently voted 4-1 to allow the emy has constructed its curricuFaith Christian Academy to oper- lum using the Accelerated Chrisate as a nonprofit private school tian Education (ACE) framework. at 58 Pulaski St. She said ACE was created 45 During the July 17 meeting, years ago and is used by approxSchool Committee Member Jar- imately 400 faith-based schools rod Hochman said he is “highly throughout the country. uncomfortable”that state law reBecause of the academy’s quires that the committee make low enrollment, Moux-Santiathe decision.“I, frankly, think that go said, students are all taught this statute is unconstitutional,” in one classroom regardless of he said. Therefore, Hochman ab- grade level. She said instruction stained from voting. is provided by a team of superGianna Moux-Santiago, the visors who are assisted by class academy’s assistant adminis- monitors. In addition, each stutrator, said the school opened in dent has their own study carrel Lynn 10 years ago and moved to rather than a desk and will raise a Peabody earlier this year to have flag if he or she needs assistance. a larger space. She said the comMoux-Santiago also spoke mittee’s approval was required about the academy’s merit sysby the state Department of Ear- tem. “We do everything on inly Education and Care. centives,” she said. Regarding enrollment, She said that through the merMoux-Santiago said 10 students it system, students can gain privhave re-enrolled in the academy ileges, such as longer snack time, for the 2018-2019 school year | SEE PAGE PB and there are 10 incoming stu-
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Peabody 12-year-old Little League All-Stars Alex Jackson, Thomas Fabbo, Josh Scali and John Horgan celebrate their hard-fought 6-5 win over Danvers National at Deyermond Park in Andover during the state Section 4 championship on Wednesday, July 18. Peabody West came up short in their bid to bring home the Massachusetts title last Saturday in Andover, however, falling in a rematch with Danvers in a 7-6 decision. See story and photos on page 10. (Advocate photos by Greg Phipps)
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