Woburn Earmarks Include Opioid Awareness, English Instruction Woburn Patch

Cindy Friedman

WOBURN, MA — The state budget passed includes $10,000 for Woburn to increase substance abuse awareness and education and $100,000 for English language instruction for immigrants and refugees, according to a press release issued after the budget was passed by the two state representatives and the state senator that represent Woburn.

“Individuals that have immigrated to Massachusetts from another country often face English language barriers, which pose challenges to those individuals as they seek to integrate into American society, including difficulty gaining employment, communicating their needs to health professionals, and accessing community resources,” Friedman said in the statement. “This funding would provide greater resources for English language learners, empowering them to contribute to and thrive in their communities.”

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Legislators reach deal on opioids, but not on health care by end of session Boston Globe

Cindy Friedman

As its formal session barreled toward a close early Wednesday, the Massachusetts Legislature passed broad changes to how the state targets the opioid epidemic, but it failed to reach deals on major legislation addressing health care and the state’s school funding formula.

The success — and death — of several closely watched pieces of legislation buffeted state lawmakers’ dash to wrap any remaining formal business from the past 19 months.

“This bill is a bill we can all be extremely proud of,” said state Senator Cindy F. Friedman. “It keeps Massachusetts as a leader in the fight to stop this illness from continuing to ravage our residents and our communities.”

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A Year in Numbers A look back on the past year at the State House

Cindy Friedman

A year ago today, I was officially sworn into the Massachusetts State Senate. It’s hard to believe that it has already been one year since I began my career as a legislator — and what a year it has been!

Since last July, I’ve had the pleasure of attending events in the 4th Middlesex, addressing your concerns at office hours, and discussing important issues impacting Massachusetts. At the same time, I took part in several key votes to protect women’s access to healthcare, address the opioid epidemic, fight for working families, stand up for our veterans, reform our criminal justice system, and much more. It has been my honor and privilege to represent you on Beacon Hill and fight for the issues we care about.

To commemorate my 1-year anniversary as your state Senator, my team compiled a list of highlights from the past year. Please click on the link below to view our “Year in Numbers” and get a better sense of the work I’ve been doing this session to benefit our district and the Commonwealth.

Click here to view the “Year in Numbers” recap

Sen. Cindy Friedman presents on caregiving in Billerica Billerica Minuteman

Cindy Friedman

On July 10, Sen. Cindy Friedman, D-Arlington, led a conversation with family caregivers, respite workers and homecare leaders on the plight of family caregiving today. She stressed the need for the community to pay attention and make voices heard in the right settings to promulgate the power of professional home-care to take the pressure off of family caregivers.

The senator spoke to an audience of about 25 at the Billerica Council on Aging as part of their after-work sessions to support younger seniors, 60-75 years of age, many of whom are caught in daily crises trying to manage their own lives and that of older loved ones. The three homecare companies present, Guardian Angel, Home Instead and Right at Home have been screened by the Outreach and Wellness Staff at the BCOA and receive referrals as cases are brought to the Center.

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Policy: Strategies that work, Broadening our reach MGH Cancer Center

Cindy Friedman

On May 11, 2018, Senator Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) participated in a panel discussion at the “Bridging the Divide: Mental Health and Cancer Care” symposium along with several panel members, including: Paul D’ Alton, D. Clin. Psych.; Inga Lennes, MD, MPH, MBA; and Kathy Sanders, MD. The panel was moderated by Benjamin Sommers, MD, PhD.

 

Treat substance use disorder like disease it is Commonwealth Magazine

Cindy Friedman

MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUES TO LOOK for new answers to the opioid crisis. Despite changes to state law to require insurance coverage for inpatient substance use disorder treatment, despite the increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone (Narcan), and despite significant investments in substance use prevention programs in our communities, this disease continues to claim lives and devastate families and entire neighborhoods.

Yes, a disease – I use that word intentionally. Substance use disorder arises in individuals exposed to opioids who have a genetic predisposition, history of trauma, or both. The shameless peddling of opioids by the pharmaceutical industry has resulted in widespread exposure to opioids. In individuals with substance use disorder, brain chemistry changes in ways that reinforce the disease.

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Mass. lawmakers advocating for harm-reduction pilot program to curb opioid crisis Boston25

Cindy Friedman

BOSTON – A group of state lawmakers are pushing for a controversial pilot program aimed at addressing the opioid crisis. The program would open safe spaces for people to inject drugs — called “supervised injection sites.” That term is commonly used around the world, but Senator Cindy Friedman (D-Middlesex) uses the term “harm reduction site.” She says it includes the goal she’s fighting so hard for: reducing harm for injection drug users and communities.

“This is about being serious and putting our words into action,” Sen. Friedman said. “If this were another illness, another disease and there was evidence there was a procedure out there that was working for a lot of people, we wouldn’t even think twice about it.”

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Massachusetts Senate condemns Trump family separation policy

Cindy Friedman

Like many of you, I’ve been heartbroken and sickened by the news lately.  Immigrant families are being torn apart, children are being forced into detention sites that resemble prison cells, and the federal government is showing no mercy. Our American values are under threat by a “leader” in the White House who refuses to show an ounce of decency and compassion toward the most vulnerable.

Any parent understands that separating children from their families is cruel and inhumane. Furthermore, refusing to provide safety to someone seeking asylum from violence in their country of origin is unconscionable. We have a serious, moral crisis on our hands, and we have to stand up and do something about it.

In response, I recently joined my colleagues in co-signing a letter to President Trump, condemning his actions and demanding that he take swift action to reunite every family that has been separated.

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State senate approves funding for Lowell-to-Burlington shuttle service Burlington Union

Cindy Friedman

Tucked into the state Senate’s $41.49 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year was $125,000 worth of funding that is planned on being used to increase public transportation between Burlington and Lowell. The money will be used as part of the Middlesex3 Transportation Association’s plans to expand the transportation options throughout the corridor, and will be aimed at establishing an evening shuttle service between the two communities. The Middlesex3 is a coalition of towns around Route 3 that work together to promote economic development in the corridor.

“Currently, there are hundreds of new restaurant and retail jobs available in Burlington and Lowell, but no consistent public transportation to and from both destinations,” state Sen. Cindy Friedman, D-Arlington, said in a press release. “Funding for shuttle transportation services would help connect potential employees to available jobs, supporting working families and energizing our regional economy.”

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