Rally to put focus on drug dealers

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Mike Sisco is organizing a rally tonight (Thursday) at 6 at Five Corners to shine the light on the Island's opioid problem. - Brittany Bowker

One day after Dolores Borza quietly shone the spotlight on a recent drug overdose death, Mike Sisco is attempting to rally more of Martha’s Vineyard to do something about the scourge of opioids on the Island.

“Enough is enough,” Sisco told The Times Thursday morning. “We need to make more of an effort to get drug dealers off the street.”

He has gotten permission to hold a rally at Five Corners in Vineyard Haven at 6 pm Thursday, he said.

Like Borza, Sisco, 46, said the recent death of a friend named Joey has hit him hard. They belonged to the same 12-step program, and were friends.

“I got my life back together,” Sisco said. “I’m very passionate about this cause.”

Sisco, owner of Sisco Family Services, said he wants to bring attention to drug dealers. “We’re going to bring attention to your house,” he said. “All we’re trying to do is let people know that good people are dying. We want to be heard.”

Sisco said Thursday’s rally is a nonviolent way to bring attention to the epidemic of opioid use and the drug dealers who are supplying deadly fentanyl. On social media, he was able to “shake the trees” and get the names of some of the Island’s dealers, he said.

“I feel bad for the cops,” he said, noting that some dealers are let out of jail, only to reoffend. “They want these drug dealers off the streets as much as we do.”

Sisco has been on the Island for 10 years, and said he’s been part of the same 12-step program during that time. He estimated that at least 100 people who have been part of that program are now dead, victims of drug overdoses. In the Vineyard, he has found a place where he can be sober and has support, but he knows there are drugs readily available.

Sisco said he was with Joey the day before he died. “The drugs that are getting peddled here are dangerous,” he said. “Maybe we need to open up more. There is a lot this community can do. Let’s make this a priority. This is beyond an epidemic. This is an issue that needs to be faced before it’s too late.”

5 COMMENTS

  1. Of ALL the bills and talk being passed around this state I see absolutely nothing about Law Enforcement & our Court system stepping up to the dam plate to do something..
    All this political crap about rehab, $$$ etc etc is for the birds!

  2. With all due respect, I don’t know of any Twelve Step Program that advocates what this guy is doing! This is akin to AA publishing the names and addresses of every bartender or liquor store owner, if someone has too much to drink! Someone’s self will is running riot.

  3. Excellent. But please give us more notice so we can join you. Please everyone turn in your local opioid dealer and save a life.

  4. He is not outing AA members. He is bringing attention to the dealers. You know, the ones breaking laws, selling illegal drugs to people, causing death in many cases. As if Heroin is not enough they are selling Fentanyl as well, in my book that is a straight up murder weapon.

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