Whose Problem is The Drug and Homelessness Issue to Solve? Taunton, MA
Mass. and Cass: The Epicenter of a Statewide Crisis in Addiction and Homelessness
The intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard—widely known as “Mass. and Cass”—has become ground zero for the Commonwealth’s intertwined public health crises: addiction and homelessness.
But community leaders, health experts, and lawmakers agree: this is not just Boston’s problem. It’s a statewide crisis that demands statewide solutions.
A Humanitarian and Public Health Emergency
Despite mounting attention, Mass. and Cass remains a tragic symbol of policy gridlock and inadequate support systems. Tent encampments, drug overdoses, and homelessness have become distressingly common at the intersection. While Boston city officials and the state government have both taken some steps, coordination has lagged, and residents are paying the price.
“People are dying,” said Marla Murphy-Smith, a local organizer. “The governor has been too hands-off for this humanitarian crisis. That needs to stop.”
Addiction and Homelessness: A Statewide Challenge
According to state Senator John Keenan (D-Quincy), many people congregating at Mass. and Cass are not from Boston—they come from every corner of Massachusetts.
“Every community in the Commonwealth must address homelessness and substance abuse issues,” Keenan said.
The data backs up this concern. A 2021 Department of Public Health report showed over 1,600 opioid-related deaths in the first nine months of the year—part of a nationwide trend that has claimed over 100,000 lives in a single year.
What Is the State Doing?
Governor Charlie Baker has directed the Department of Public Health to support Boston in addressing Mass. and Cass. However, he maintains that the city has “jurisdiction over this stuff,” frustrating advocates who argue the issue has outgrown local control.
Public health expert Dr. Bertha Madras, who served on federal drug policy commissions, praised Massachusetts’ relative success in slowing the rate of overdose deaths. But she also emphasized that more comprehensive state involvement is essential, especially in decentralizing recovery services.
Why Decentralization Matters
Advocates like Yahaira López of the South End-Roxbury Community Partnership stress the need for statewide access to recovery housing and services.
“We don’t mean moving services from Mass. and Cass to another low-income neighborhood,” López said. “We mean decentralizing them across the Commonwealth.”
Dr. Madras echoed these concerns, arguing that keeping individuals near triggering environments—like active drug-dealing zones—undermines recovery.
Revisiting Long Island: A Path Forward?
Madras supports the rebuilding of the Long Island Bridge, which once connected Boston to a campus of treatment centers on Long Island. The site offered a secluded recovery environment, away from high-risk urban areas.
“It wasn’t perfect, but it was idyllic,” said Madras. “It was isolated from drug dealers and environmental triggers.”
While some fear that rebuilding Long Island may symbolize “out of sight, out of mind,” others see it as a critical part of the solution—provided that long-term treatment and reintegration support are included.
The Role of Housing: Dry Shelters vs. Low-Threshold Models
Many current shelters operate as “dry shelters,” meaning individuals must be completely abstinent to enter. Critics say this excludes those in active addiction, leaving them on the street and without support.
“If you’re addicted to heroin or fentanyl, you’re not going to stop using just to get a bed for one night,” said Sen. Keenan. “We need shelter models that acknowledge addiction and include treatment pathways.”
Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton) agrees, supporting personalized transitional housing over traditional shelter models.
“One-size-fits-all doesn’t work,” she said. “We’ve been putting band-aids on symptoms instead of addressing root causes.”
Can ARPA Funds Help?
The Baker administration and Legislature have allocated billions in federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, including:
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$964 million for health care
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$624 million for housing
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Support for 38 syringe service programs and 33 naloxone education sites
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Plans for a temporary housing cottage community at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital
Advocates urge that these funds be used to create permanent housing solutions, mental health evaluations, job training, and long-term recovery services.
“We need money to buy housing and run programs,” said Murphy-Smith. “And we need the state to step up and ask for it.”
Vanderburgh Sober Living’s Response
At Vanderburgh Sober Living, we know firsthand how vital structured, recovery-focused housing is to healing. Our MASH Certified homes are led by dedicated House Mentors and provide a structured, accountable environment where residents can rebuild their lives.
We partner with self-employed, mission-driven individuals who operate sober homes under our Charter Program, creating a collaborative network of support across the Northeast.
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A Statewide Resource for Recovery Housing
We are proud to offer the Sober House Directory, the most comprehensive online tool for finding certified sober homes throughout the country. Even if a Vanderburgh Sober Living home isn’t the right fit, you can quickly find alternatives based on your location and needs.