NBC 10 Boston: Prof. Sprague Martinez Says Shelter Shouldn’t Be Contingent on Treatment
As Boston Mayor Kim Janey concludes her time in office, she declared “Mass. and Cass” a public health crisis and has begun removing tents from the area. To discuss the challenges of this difficult process, NBC 10 Boston interviewed BU School of Social Work Professor Linda Sprague Martinez, who stressed that reducing homelessness and substance use for this vulnerable population should not be conditional.
Excerpt from “Tents Still Line Mass. and Cass as Clean Up Continues” originally published on NBC 10 Boston:
Boston Mayor Kim Janey last week declared the rampant drug use and homelessness in the area a public health crises and vowed to remove the tents scattered along the sidewalks near the intersection.
Linda Sprague Martinez, an expert in social welfare policy at Boston University’s School of Social Work, said she hopes the city continues to take a slow approach to the process. Martinez emphasized the importance of taking the time to ensure that the effort does not fail the neighborhood or the people who are living in the homeless encampment.
‘We don’t need to say, “Rush, rush, rush. Everyone out.” That’s not going to solve the problem because what will happen is, there’ll be a new tent tomorrow, or it’ll pop up somewhere else,’ Martinez said. ‘I don’t think we can make an assumption that, “I know what’s best for you, I think you need to stop using drugs right away.” I think people need to hear their options.’”
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