WESTFIELD—A new 30-bed unit for women with substance abuse issues officially opened at Western Massachusetts Hospital yesterday, and city and state officials were given their first glimpses into the finished site.
The unit is part of the Gandara Esperanza women’s transitional support services program, which aims to provide short-term residential care for those battling addiction. The unit was created in conjunction with the state’s continuing plan to combat the opioid crisis.
Lt. gov. Karyn Polito speaks to the crowd at the Western Massachusetts Hospital tour.
The site, which first opened to patients in August, has already been used to treat more than 65 women. This event though, marked its first public display.
“These beds will become temporary homes for people who truly need it and who truly need our support,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said at the event yesterday. “They need a lot of love, a lot of care, and you will bring that through your treatment here.”
The origin of the unit, as well as similar units built in the Taunton and Shattuck State Hospitals, came from the opioid legislation that Gov. Baker signed in March to help combat the crisis that was hitting multiple communities, including Westfield.
A two-bed room at the new unit at Western Massachusetts Hospital.
“In my second month in office we had three people in the community die from overdoses and that’s something you can’t prepare for,” Westfield mayor Brian Sullivan said. “So I was on board as soon as the governor’s office created their program.”
Sen. Don Humason, who also spoke at the event, commended state officials and medical professionals who have helped to combat the opiate crisis.
“Nobody wanted to have to do this, nobody wanted this to be an issue, but now it is and these leaders are doing something about it,” he said.
State Rep. John Velis also spoke and commented on the combined effort from everyone, including those from different political parties, who helped to create the 30-bed unit and others across the state in spite of political affiliation.
“Opioid addiction transcends every race, gender, demographic—this is so visceral, we are losing lives on a daily basis,” Velis said. “There are no party lines to this, it’s a bipartisan effort. There’s no heroin for republicans or democrats, there’s no opiates for each party.”
Also in attendance was Kate Phelon, director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. Phelon’s daughter had struggled with opioid addiction and Phelon said that she knows the importance of facilities like this one for those recovering.
“Esperanza, that means hope, and that means 30 women today will have hope,” she said. “And when you have addiction, many times you don’t have hope.”
