About 40 Triad members and guests attended this year's picnic at the Spitzer Center on Wednesday morning. A number of local officials attended, including state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi and Mayor Richard Alcombright.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The conversation at the 10th annual Triad picnic focused on substance abuse and the county's corrections process.

The picnic was held on Wednesday morning in the back of the Mary Spitzer Senior Center.

Keith Lang, a licensed drug and alcohol counselor at the Berkshire County sheriff's office, said about 86 percent of people in jail are there for drug- or alcohol-related crimes.

 

"Sentences, I think in Massachusetts, the average sentence is four months... so they're in jail with a problem and they're back out in the streets, in our communities," Lang said.

 

Lang stressed the importance of providing services to inmates to address times of more addiction — and spending toward it. He remains optimistic, however.

 

"The good news is there are success stories and we have plenty of them and we don't get a chance to show them off as much as the ones who reoffend," Lang said.

 

Jason Cuyler, the re-entry case manager at the office, explained that if drugs, alcohol, bad relationships and a new environment is taken out of the equation the addicts are actually "decent human beings."

 

Director of Classifications Al Bianchi explained the incarceration system focuses on mental health, education, substance abuse and counseling. The inmates are classified in a five-level system, with the maximum security allowing practically no freedom to other levels working outside, on projects, or in a work-release program.

 

Adams resident Patricia Baker shared her concerns about what to do with dealers.

 

Sheriff Thomas Bowler acknowledged that buyers are mostly incarcerated in jail and the state prisons focus on long sentences, typically given out to dealers. However, Bowler said the state's current master plan aims to "step down" state inmates to the county systems to take advantage of the short-term resources and programs.

 

From there, the focus again is to work them into an honest living away from drugs.

 

"It's not an easy task, it's challenging," Bowler said.

 

Mayor Richard Alcombright said the longevity of the program and the focus on mental health is important to addressing this issue. However, the mayor also said insurance companies and the government need to make it possible for addicts to be treated properly.

 

Triad President Pearl Mullett poses with Fire Director Steve Meranti. Mullett is stepping down as president at the end of the year.

"Here's the deal, if someone has a long-term physical illness, insurance companies will pay unlimited amount of dollars to have that fixed," the mayor said. "If someone has a significant mental health issue that leads to addiction and drives an addiction, they'll put them in rehab for four or five days and throw them back out on the streets.

 

"Government and insurance need to recognize it as a disease ... it kills people all the time."

 

Alcombright said insurance companies need to provide accessible long-term treatment to address both substance abuse and mental health.

 

The mayor also praised Triad for providing an outlet for senior citizens to raise issues of concern to law enforcement and emergency personnel.

 

The 11th annual Triad Picnic in 2014 will see two key changes — a new president and a new location.

 

The group, which aims to address issues important to senior safety issues, will gather at the Greylock Community Club next year, President Pearl Mullett said on Wednesday morning, a move that will increase parking and free up space for the Spitzer Center.

 

Mullett will also step down from the president's post after 10 years. She was confident that someone will step into her place.

 

"If I can do it, anybody can and I really want someone to do it," Mullett said.

 

Triad holds its regular meetings at the American Legion on every fourth Wednesday at noon.