Massachusetts Opioid Epidemic Among Homeless Population

Caroline Curtis filed this request with the Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Quality of Massachusetts.
Est. Completion None
Status
Withdrawn

Communications

From: Caroline Curtis

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:

Documents concerning opioid usage and opioid epidemic-related deaths among the Massachusetts homeless population.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Caroline Curtis

From: MuckRock

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:

Documents concerning opioid usage and opioid epidemic-related deaths among the Massachusetts homeless population.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Caroline Curtis

From: MuckRock

To Whom It May Concern:

This public records request was initially submitted in May of 2016.

However, as of today, we have received neither an acknowledgement letter nor any other communication from your office indicating that processing has begun.

For your reference, the text of the initial request has been copied below. Prompt provision of an acknowledgment letter, tracking number, and estimated date of completion would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:

Documents concerning opioid usage and opioid epidemic-related deaths among the Massachusetts homeless population.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Caroline Curtis

From: Sorensen-Alawad, Amy (DPH)

Dear Ms. Curtis,

Thank you for submitting a FOIA/Public Records Request to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. I am in receipt of your request, and have a couple of questions about the scope. Are you avaialble to speak on the phone today at 11:30am?

Sincerely,

Amy

______________________________________
Amy Sorensen-Alawad, MSPH, MPA
Grants Management Specialist, Project Director
Public Records Liasion
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
250 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-624-5342
Fax: 617-624-5185
Amy.Sorensen-Alawad@massmail.state.MA.US<mailto:Amy.Sorensen-Alawad@massmail.state.MA.US>

Website: www.mass.gov/dph<http://www.mass.gov/dph>
Blog: http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us<http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/>

#StatewithoutstigMA<http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/stop-addiction/state-without-stigma/>
For information on resources: Call 800-327-5050
Or visit: http://helpline-online.com/

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. This message may contain confidential and privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, please notify me immediately by return email and do not copy, use, or disseminate information contained in this email.

From: Sorensen-Alawad, Amy (DPH)

To Whom It May Concern:

I am trying to reach someone at MuckRock.com regarding the attached and below referenced Public Records Request. I received the request in my office on Monday June 26, 2017. I am in need of clarification on the parameters and scope of the request in order to determine if we have any non-exempt, responsive documents.

Please contact me with a phone number where you can be reached.

Many thanks,

Amy

______________________________________
Amy Sorensen-Alawad, MSPH, MPA
Grants Management Specialist, Project Director
Public Records Liason
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
250 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-624-5342
Fax: 617-624-5185
Amy.Sorensen-Alawad@massmail.state.MA.US<mailto:Amy.Sorensen-Alawad@massmail.state.MA.US>

Website: www.mass.gov/dph<http://www.mass.gov/dph>
Blog: http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us<http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/>

#StatewithoutstigMA<http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/stop-addiction/state-without-stigma/>
For information on resources: Call 800-327-5050
Or visit: http://helpline-online.com/

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. This message may contain confidential and privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, please notify me immediately by return email and do not copy, use, or disseminate information contained in this email.

From: Sorensen-Alawad, Amy (DPH)

Hello Ms. Curtis,
Please see below regarding your recent request and call me at your earliest convenience, or kindly let me know the best number to reach you.
Thank you, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Amy

From: Sorensen-Alawad, Amy (DPH)

Hello Caitlin,

Thank you for your voicemail, I'm sorry I missed you. Are you available at any time before 1pm today, July 3rd, to discuss the parameters of the request? Alternately, I could talk any time from 10am-1pm on July 5th. Please let me know if either of these windows of time work for you.

Sincerely,

Amy

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. This message may contain confidential and privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, please notify me immediately by return email and do not copy, use, or disseminate information contained in this email.

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