While Massachusetts has made meaningful strides to combat the opioid epidemic that continues to devastate communities throughout our state, there is still much work to be done to ensure that residents are provided with the essential services that they need to seek treatment and maintain sobriety.

As the state senator of a district that experienced more than 60 fatal overdoses in 2018, alleviating this public health crisis is of the utmost importance and it is one of Senator Kennedy’s legislative priorities as a member of the 191st General Court.

This session, he has filed and co-sponsored critical pieces of legislation that, upon their passage, will provide the state with unique methods to ease the burden of this crisis by preventing additional and expand access to treatment. Senator Kennedy is the lead sponsor of the RECOVER Act which would provide those in recovery with employment opportunities by creating a competitive grant program to support partnerships between treatment providers and vocational service providers.  Employment opportunities play a significant role in the recovery process for those who seek addiction treatment services. By holding a steady job, one establishes a source of income, a structured schedule, and improved self-esteem. This would not only provide a sense of independence and lessen the likelihood of relapse, but also helps fill employment voids in under-served industries.

Additionally, Senator Kennedy has co-sponsored legislation with his colleague Representative Tom Golden, a fellow member of the Lowell State House delegation that would remove burdensome medical insurance barriers that prevent people from obtaining the long-term treatment services that they so desperately need.