WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Board of Selectmen is ready to take part in a community discussion on substance abuse.
“It’s time [to have a discussion],” said Selectman Lou Cimaglia. “This is an epidemic. Wilmington is no different than any other city or town across the country.”
“I don’t think I’d ever want to say this publicly, but I had a brother – Junior – who was killed in a motorcycle accident,” Selectman Mike McCoy disclosed. “He went out one night, after smoking marijuana, and got into an accident and killed himself.”
“I never said that publicly before,” continued McCoy. “He had just graduated high school. On Route 38, near Shedd Park in Lowell, he was not aware of his senses because of the marijuana. He broke his neck and died instantly. It’s sad. Really, really sad.”
“He was an awesome kid and I loved him,” said McCoy. “Unfortunately, he had that demon. It got the best of him. He was 19-years-old.”
“This is a longtime coming,” said Selectwoman Judy O’Connell. “I think the community is ready to talk about this….We’re starting to open up the dialog and have the discussion and put it out there that [substance abuse in Wilmington] is a problem.”
O’Connell noted her immediate family is going through a battle with addiction right now.
“I hope that between the Police, the Public Health, the schools and the community, we continue to embrace topics like this,” continued O’Connell. “[Substance abuse] is going to continue to be an issue. It’s bigger than one person or one family. We all need to work together.”
“It’s not easy to have these conversations,” admitted Selectman Mike Champoux. “We all have, I suspect, been touched at some point in our lives by someone who has dealt with some sort of substance abuse or addiction issues. It’s something many folks can relate to.”
Champoux, along with Selectman Mike Newhouse and the rest of the board, pledged their support to the Wilmington Supports Recovery initiative, which they were briefed on immediately prior to giving their remarks.
Wilmington Apple covered the launch of the Wilmington Supports Recovery last week HERE.
Organized by resident Kendal Vaughan, the effort features a holiday drive to collect donated supplies and clothing for addicts, alcoholics and their families who are in local treatment facilities. All donations must be NEW, with the exception of clean, like-new winterwear. Learn more about requested items HERE.
Donations can be dropped off in marked boxes at several locations around town, including the Police Station, High School, Middle School, Town Hall, St. Elizabeth’s Church, Wilmington United Methodist Church, Lucci’s, RE/MAX Encore, and Lorraine Spada School of Dance. Donations will also be collected at the Town Tree Lighting. All donations must be in by December 18.
Watch the discussion, courtesy of Wilmington Community Television, below. It begins just prior to the 43-minute mark and lasts 18 minutes.
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