Elaine Donovan
Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition (CSAC)
A lot of the work Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition does can be connected with Strategic Issue #2 around improving the coordination and integrating of healthcare and community-based prevention activities and services. How does this issue connect to the Charlestown neighborhood?
I’m very aware of the strategic issues that are being worked on in Boston and Charlestown. I think Charlestown does and will continue to benefit greatly by the improvement and coordination and integration of healthcare and community based prevention activities and services. For far too long we’ve had an epidemic here with opiate overdose rates that have crippled our wonderful community. That is what prompted a group of people to get together to start our Substance Abuse Coalition.
What are some other issues or concerns that are important for the Charlestown community?
Besides substance abuse, there are many issues in Charlestown that are of great concern to its residents. Our community has expressed concern over our Autism rates, rates of cancer, and many smoking related health issues. Underage alcohol use and abuse as well as healthy eating habits are also areas of great concern that our community hopes to continue to address in the future.
Can you talk about one of CSAS’s events or projects of which you are most proud?
Having been involved with CSAC for ten years, I’ve seen and been part of many projects and changes. The ones I’m most proud of however are some things that may seem simple to others, but coming from a small close knit community, these are quite large to us. The biggest thing back in the earlier days was simply getting people to the table to talk about our substance abuse issues. CSAC not only talked about it but moved forward to do whatever we could to reach out to users/abusers as well as loved ones of these people! We made a Recovery Guide of all of the services that Charlestown has to offer for families that we put in doorways and had local restaurants deliver with their food. About six years ago we started a vigil in Hayes Square to remember those whose lives have been lost due to substance abuse. CSAC pushed to have a Drug Court in Charlestown where people who are arrested for drug related (nonviolent crimes) have a chance to meet with the judge once a week to check in and get drug tested to hopefully get clean and move on to become productive members of society. We’ve had many speakers come to Charlestown to speak about different issues concerning our community, and every year we get together to plan activities for Recovery Month. CSAC is working now in groups on different subjects such as, family support, overdose prevention, and policing efforts as small task forces and will come together in a few months to bring all of our ideas together.
If someone were thinking of moving to Charlestown, what would you say to encourage them to move?
The great thing about our community is its ability to come together when faced with an issue. The feeling of togetherness and belonging is a comfort that can only be described as “being home”. If I were to speak to someone who was thinking about moving here, I’d tell them that if they wanted to be a part of a community that is like a family, where residents look out for one another and come together through sports organizations, school and social activities and the like, then they would feel welcome by all. We’re one square mile of small and large families, some third and fourth generation, who love this place so much that they could think of living nowhere else!
What’s the best thing about Charlestown this holiday season?
The best thing about Charlestown this holiday season is the sense of community and the town’s festive decorations from the wreaths on every light post, to the blow up Christmas Scenery in Thomson Square!!!
Elaine Donovan was born and raised in Charlestown, and is very proud to call it home. She has been a member of CSAC Steering Committee for approximately ten years, and is honored to be part of a group of residents, businesses, organizations and professionals who work together to reduce substance abuse in Charlestown. She goes above and beyond volunteering her time, attending community events, and supporting the youth and families in Charlestown.