GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Plans to address opioid addiction dominated recent campaign news among Hampden County sheriff candidates.

Both Governor’s Councilor Michael Albano and Springfield City Councilor Thomas Ashe spoke about their plans to address addiction.

Retired correctional officer and addiction counselor Jack Griffin dropped out of the race for sheriff on July 7 and endorsed Ashe.

Ashe said in a written statement, “I want to thank Jack for his support and for the high level of discourse and integrity that he brought forth in this race. Jack is a man of passion and commitment and I am honored to have Jack’s support. Jack Griffin is a great guy, with a great story who has touched so many people's lives. I don't count on his supporters to automatically back me and I will work to earn the support from the folks that were so loyal to him.  Hopefully; his faith in me to lead the Hampden County Sheriff's Department is a good first step in that process.”

Ashe announced that if elected he would open a 77-bed unit at the Hampden County House of Corrections as an addiction unit. Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 123, Section 35 allows for an individual suffering from alcohol or substance abuse to be involuntarily committed to a treatment facility if certain conditions are met. Ashe has noted there are units of the jail that are unused and this new program would provide necessary treatment beds.

The unit would provide addicts with treatment in a secured environment away from more serious offenders, Ashe said.

Nick Cocchi, assistant superintendent of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and candidate for sheriff, also released a statement about addiction treatment services presently at the jail on July 7.

In a written statement, Cocchi said, “At the Hampden County Sheriff’s department we have a great history of providing substantial and effective substance abuse services and we have for decades supported a significant level of treatment in our community. I am proud to be a part of this effort every day.  This is an issue those of us in corrections have been addressing for years. Unfortunately it’s not new.  It’s important to our effort so many others have now awoken to this crisis I have been fighting against my whole career.

“Our efforts in addressing addiction are comprehensive and start immediately after contact with the individual.  We utilize pre-sentencing diversion, reentry planning starting day 1, mandatory criminogenic programs while in custody, proactive use of step-down protocols, effective after-care, and maximum connections to community providers.

He concluded, “I view addiction and the subsequent related crime it produces as a behavioral health issue.  Clearly for reasons of public safety we address these issues in context of criminal rehabilitation but we must be ever mindful to treat those with addiction problems as people suffering from an illness.  There are no quick fixes.  No politically expedient sound bites or magic wands will change the course of this destructive behavior tearing the fabric of our society.  This is a long-term commitment on behalf of our organization and the support services throughout our county.”

Albano called a press conference on July 11 to discuss his approach to the opioid crisis. He stressed that with 800 deaths due to addiction since 2010 in the county, addiction is not a criminal justice issue but a medical one and that is how he would treat it, if elected.

He said once more he would move the Western Massachusetts Correctional Addiction Center to the jail. It is now at the former Holyoke Geriatric Authority building and slated to be at a former nursing home on Mill Street in Springfield. Albano opposes putting the center in a residential neighborhood.

He said by moving the program to the jail in Ludlow it would force the state to find a new use for the building since it is paying a lease for the property. He advocated for a neighborhood health center, with the blessing of the neighborhood and city.

The Holyoke Geriatric Authority building could also be used for the same purpose, he added.

As sheriff he would advocate local police departments in the county to adopt the program used by the Gloucester Police Department. Addicts in Gloucester can go to the police, surrender the drugs they have and not face charges, but rather be placed in treatment programs.

“No one should lose their life because of a medical condition,” Albano said.

Albano would also urge all police departments to make available Narcan and the training to use it to all officers. Narcan can reverse the effects of an overdose if used in time. Albano acknowledged resources have to be set aside for training, which would also have to be part of a collective bargaining as it is a change of working conditions.   

Albano is also re-sending his plan to Gov. Charlie Baker for a full time opioid task force for the county, which would include a paid executive director.

When asked about the resources the Sheriff’s Department would need to help fund some of the proposals, Albano once again stated how he would use the money currently being paid to a number of consultants at the jail.

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