Windham & Windsor Housing Trust received the news of a drug raid at 42 South Main Street on Friday January 20th. We thank the Brattleboro Police Department, Vermont State Police and responders who work to keep our community safe each day.
While events such as this are not unique to The Housing Trust, we understand the challenge that all landlords face in balancing tenants’ rights while enforcing lease terms to protect the safety and well-being of tenants, staff, and the larger community.
The resulting arrests are an important step in accountability. We can not confirm whether any of these individuals are residents of this building. However, will can say emphatically that drug trafficking is not tolerated in our properties and is grounds for an evidenced-based eviction. This recent arrest provides solid evidence to move forward with steps to protect the surrounding residents.
There is an overwhelming epidemic in the community-at-large and it is centered around substance use disorder. It has become entrenched and has resulted in painful loss of life for individual users and their families and friends, and although users are most often more of a danger to themselves than anyone else, traffickers are taking advantage of others’ illness to profit. This issue is felt and experienced community-wide and needs to be addressed across every facet of the community. As property owners we have a critical responsibility to act and we do. First, if an applicant has a history of trafficking we do not approve their application. Secondly, when it becomes evident that drug trafficking occurs and we have good documentation, we move forward with eviction. This is a long process but it is critical.
The issue of the opioid epidemic will not be solved by evicting people from place to place. There needs to be far more support for recovery resources, for mental health access and affordability, for the groups reaching out to people living with addiction and supporting them where they’re at, and for community connection. This is a reality that impacts virtually everyone in the community and it stems from the predatory strategies of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family and has been amplified by regional drug traffickers who prey on those struggling with addiction. It’s devastating but it is real.
While The Housing Trust is proud of the housing stability we provide and know that this can result in great success, unfortunately this is not always the case. We share the concerns of the community and all those affected by this unfortunate event.
The Housing Trust reaffirms our commitment to safely housing and serving Windham and Windsor county residents, especially at this time when, more than ever, our services and resources are so desperately needed.
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