Mass and Cass

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mass and Cass, also known as Methadone Mile or Recovery Road, is a tent city located at and around the intersection of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts.[1] It has been characterized as "the epicenter of the region's opioid addiction crisis." [2]

Drug and homelessness issues[]

Due to its concentration of service providers, the area around Mass and Cass has attracted a large number of people dealing with homelessness and drug addiction, especially after the closure of the treatment facility on Long Island.[3][4][1] As of September 2021, the number of tents in the area was estimated to have grown from a dozen to more than 100.[5]

Local businesses in Newmarket Square have reported vandalism and difficulty hiring and retaining employees as they fear for their safety.[5][3] The Greater Boston Food Bank has spent more than $1 million on security since the crisis erupted.[3]

The effects on local residents and the city's attempts to deal with the problem have generated considerable controversy.[4][2] The city of Quincy has opposed reconstruction of the bridge to Long Island as the only access to the island by bridge is through that city.[4] Advocates also protested Acting Mayor Kim Janey's October 19, 2021 announcement that Boston would be begin clearing out the tent city.[2] Janey cited the lack of hygienic facilities in tents, the sexual assaults and crime in the area, and the four or five overdoses that are reversed each day in the area.[2] Opponents say that the dismantling of the tents and other makeshift structures, forcibly if necessary, is a criminalization of homelessness and addiction.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b McDonald, Danny; Walker, Craig F. (October 9, 2021). "12 hours at Mass. and Cass". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Rios, Simón (October 19, 2021). "Janey unveils plan to remove tents from Mass. and Cass area". WBUR. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Tiernan, Erin (September 15, 2021). "Lack of action at Mass and Cass has cost Greater Boston Food Bank $1M and counting, says CEO". Boston Herald. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c DeCosta Kilpa, Nik (January 21, 2021). "Andrea Campbell grew up a few blocks away from 'Mass. and Cass.' Here's her plan to address the troubled area". Boston.com.
  5. ^ a b Karedes, Drew (September 3, 2021). "'It's never ever been this bad': 100+ tents set up along Methadone Mile concern community leaders". Boston 25 News.


Coordinates: 42°19′57″N 71°04′20″W / 42.33262°N 71.07231°W / 42.33262; -71.07231

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