One month after 'Operation Clean Sweep,' has Boston's Methadone Mile improved? Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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VERY MUCH LIKE A PLAY STILL AT THE CRISIS STAGE. AROUND NOON TIME, THIS IS SCENE WHEN YOU COME OFF OF THE EXPRESSWAY AND HIT THE MASS AVE, -- MASS AVE. >> HONESTLY I’VE BEEN GONE FOR SIX WEEKS AND NOW IT SEEMS THE PROBLEMS WENT FURTHER UP MASS AVENUE, AND I’VE AVOIDED GOING OUT AT NIGHT. >> I DO NOT THINK IT’S WORST. >> IT’S BEEN A MONTH SINCE BOSTON LEADERS EXECUTED OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP AND AGGRESSIVELY ADDRESSED THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS AND DRUG ADDICTED IN AN AREA CALLED METHANDONE MILE. SOME BELIEVE THAT POPULATION IS NOW INCREASING IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND ALL THE WAY TO THE BOSTON COMMON. BUDDY CHRITSOPHER WHO’S COORDINATING OUTREACH AND RESOURCES FOR THE MAYOR DISAGREES. >> IF THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE AND THEIR STAIRS OR IN ALLEYWAYS, THAT IS THE STUFF I HEARD. THE REST OF THE STUFF IS MORE URBAN LEGEND THAN REALITY. >> WE MET A FAMILY JUST TRYING TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND PEDESTRIANS GOING TO WORK DEALING WITH UNSIGHTLY STUFF. >> IT IS DEPRESSING, VERY DEPRESSING TO SEE PEOPLE LAYING OUT HERE GOING THROUGH THE STRUGGLE. IT SEEMS KIND OF HOPELESS, BUT THERE IS HOPE FOR EVERYBODY. >> THAT HOPEFULLY COMES WITH THE CITY’S LONGTERM PLAN. >> THERE’S PEOPLE GUIDING PEOPLE AND OUTREACH WORKERS OUT THERE REALLY TOUCHING PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND OUR COMMITMENT IS REAL. >> CITY LEADERS SAY IT ALSO INCLUDES THE REOPENING OF THE LONG ISLAND BRIDGE, WHICH IS IN THE LAST DATE FOR APPROVAL, BRINGING BACK 450 HOMELESS BED

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