See this series of tweets from So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.) today, which has a facility on the unit block of O Street NW:
Yesterday, the SOME community on O Street NW experienced an alarming event—over the course of the day there were a large number of K2 overdoses requiring the attendance of EMS and MPD. (1/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
We know that similar incidences were occurring throughout the city, and while we don’t have final numbers, we know that there was a significant number of individuals affected and that there were fatalities. (2/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
K2 and other synthetic drug abuse is an epidemic in our city. Its cheapness and unpredictability make it highly dangerous and, as we’ve seen today, deadly, particularly among the vulnerable population that SOME serves. (3/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
As a leader in our community, we hold ourselves responsible for the safety of our clients, our staff, and our neighbors. We’d like to share the steps we are taking to address these issues (4/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
We are calling upon the District government and the MPD to address the worrying influx of K2 into our city and our community (5/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
We have relaunched the ABLE program, which opens the Dining Room between meal services for clients to get off the street and take part in various activities, and will open the Dining Room earlier to allow those waiting to come off the street as well (6/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
We will be expanding our Public Safety team to provide extended and more comprehensive coverage of the SOME properties on O Street and adjacent areas, and (7/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
We are creating an on-call clinician team from our Addictions Treatment Program to provide one clinician on call Monday through Friday at main SOME from 6:00-9:00 to help reach out to clients outside. (8/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
We know that we cannot solve this problem on our own. We will continue to work with the City and MPD and our neighboring organizations—Open Arms, House of Lebanon, and McClendon Center, etc. (9/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
Our priority remains removing our clients from those that prey on them, by opening the Dining Room outside of meal hours and encouraging them to enter the addictions program. (10/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
If you see signs of an overdose, call 911. Overdose signs include collapse, unconsciousness, vomiting, and physical aggression. (11/12) pic.twitter.com/0UqY5ioXbM
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
If you are seeking substance use disorder treatment, connect with SOME’s addiction treatment program at 60 O St NW or call 202.797.8806. (12/12)
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
1. Call 911 if you see signs of an overdose.
2. Keep pressure on our city leaders to get K2 off the streets
3. Support programs and policies that aim to improve the current conditions of those experiencing homelessness and living in povertyWe need everyone in this fight! https://t.co/ooIvcYmV7w
— So Others Might Eat (@SOME_DC) September 14, 2018
Bates Area Civic Association 