Headlines are often more important than the stories on which they ride. No newspaper editor ever headlined anything using the word "tragedy" unless he figured he had a weeper of a story. Which is why I've noticed the prevalence of the words "failed" and "lost" in stories about America's drug war. A couple decades ago, a newspaper might have headlined a story about a huge international drug ring with the word "smashed," as in "Drug Ring Smashed." Now, newspapers do news-y think pieces on the drug war headlined, "America's Failed Drug War: Cartels Flourish." [continues 669 words]
WESTPORT-- A needle-exchange program for intravenous drug users will open on Route 6 within the next month. The program, the first in Bristol County and one of only four in Massachusetts, was approved unanimously by the Board of Selectmen Monday night. The facility will be located at 909 State Road, Route 6, on the site of the former Friends Music store, and will be operated Fall River's Stanley Street Treatment and Resources center. SSTAR is a health care and substance abuse facility. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will also offer support. [continues 354 words]
WESTPORT -- Standing on the steps of Town Hall, heckled by a hostile crowd, selectmen reversed their Monday votes approving a needle-exchange facility, declaring there will be no such program in town. All five selectmen agreed to rescind their votes, but Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Elizabeth Collins and Selectman David Dionne refused to vote for a motion that would eliminate all future consideration of a needle-exchange program. The meeting, called Thursday night in response to intense public pressure, was moved out doors when a crowd overflowed the second-floor room where the Board of Selectmen usually meets. [continues 564 words]
