MALDEN 'ROCKS' THE MESSAGE OF OXYCONTIN DANGERS

Malden Is Fed Up With Oxycontin.

And City Leaders Are Making Sure Everyone Knows Its Dangers.

Monday, Ward 7 Councilor Chris Simonelli, along with members of Malden
Police and Hallmark Health, held an event at the Jackson Suite in the
Jackson Street garage. The attendance of all Malden Youth Hockey players as
well as their parents was mandatory.

"What we are here to do tonight is to be able to educate the youth, parents
and coaches on [OxyContin]," said Simonelli in front of a packed room.

OxyContin is the number-one selling drug right now on the streets of
Malden, and there is great concern. So much so, that the city has started
the OxyContin Task Force, with Simonelli and Christine DiPietro, human
services director for the city, as well as many others.

Already the task force has received two grants; one from the Department of
Public Health for $80,000 and the other from the Malden Redevelopment
Authority for $45,000.

Simonelli said that Malden was just one of many communities around Boston
dealing with OxyContin abuse. He concluded his speech by showing a
20-minute video developed through District Attorney Martha Coakley's
office, which illustrated the drug's danger.

The movie, "Jammed Up - Prescription for Disaster," warned how OxyContin
was "like a fire, it can either warm your home, or burn it down."

The drug's effect were shown in twofold: if needed, OxyContin is incredibly
effective in relieving severe, chronic pain, however, when abused, it can
be fatal.

A teenage boy in the video told how "that little pill" had the ability to
not only control, but ruin his life.

"It's a community awareness that means we are all involved," Simonelli said
at the conclusion of the film. He introduced Malden's campaign to combat
the OxyContin problem, "Malden Rocks," Rid our Community of Killer Substances.

Malden Patrol Officer Jon Crannell spoke about the horrors of what he has
seen OxyContin do to families.

"I haven't seen anything have such an impact like [OxyContin]," said Crannell.

Crannell also talked about the new computer technology that Malden has that
enables the city to track people and see what problems they are having with
drugs.

"It's a sad sight to see what this drug does by ruining family members,
relatives and friends," said Crannell. "When [a person] can't afford
OxyContin anymore, they turn to Heroin."

J.J. Dow, a 24 year-old Malden native told his story about his struggles
with OxyContin.

"Not only did I lose myself [on the drug], I lost my family," Dow said.

Dow talked about how he used to take the drug to get high before he played
hockey in high school saying that he spent more time in the penalty box for
fighting than playing.

Now completely sober and reunited with his family, Dow told how he lost a
lot of friends from this disease of addiction.

"A lot of my friends are dead today because they wanted to get drunk and
high," said Dow, adding that "[OxyContin] wants to kill you. It wants to
destroy you."

The advice that Dow offered the children in the audience was that "if
someone offers you drugs, don't walk, run the other way."

Dow asked that the parents go over the information given to them about the
drug with their children, adding that he wished he had this type of
informational lecture given to him and his family, because maybe he
wouldn't have tried OxyContin.

"The police department used to run around the city looking for me, and now
they are calling me to get me to come and speak at events like these - and
I am deeply honored," said Dow. "I know today that [OxyContin] will get me
nowhere except for six feet below the ground."

After Dow's speech, Jennifer Munroe from Hallmark Health told the audience
that her company offers information for people who need resources on how to
deal with the drug.

"Malden wants to give you what you need to combat OxyContin," said Munroe.

Simonelli concluded the night by thanking everyone for coming telling them
that they are a crucial part of this campaign. "You are going to see a lot
more of this campaign around the city," said Simonelli.

Another meeting was held on Thursday, Nov. 18, which was mandatory for all
Malden athletes and their parents. Other assemblies will continue to be
held in the future to combat the city's OxyContin problem.