Controversial sign on drug crisis sparks debate

A controversial sign on Federal Hill in Providence has the community asking itself what is the best way to tackle the drug epidemic?

People who live there tell ABC 6 that the sign has been up for more than a decade and it blames drug users for their addiction.

The sign is at the corner of Dean and Carpenter Streets, right down the block from the Providence Police Station.

It reads “Say no to Drugs. It’s your life. Blame no one but yourself.”

The message is from the Joseph Martino family and it has a phone number that is disconnected.

ABC 6 learned that Martino passed away in 2018 in his 80s, but Dave Halpern, a friend of Martino’s who lives in the neighborhood, said that Martino put up that sign years ago when he lost his son to drugs.

All these years later, it still stands, and people like Halpern agree with the approach

“People who take [drugs] for the thrill of it, and they become addicts, and they kill themselves, tough luck Charlie, you were warned ahead of time,” Halpern said. “Nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you do something.”

But not everyone is on board with the message including Haley McKee who is with the Substance Use Policy, Education, & Recovery PAC.

“That kind of message drives up our death toll. It increases stigma and shame. It’s untrue. It’s dated,” McKee said. “I think it’s harmful.”

McKee believes it’s time for the sign to go.

“What we need in place of that kind of messaging is compassion and positivity,” she said.

McKee said she would like a different sign to be put up that could support recovery centers in Providence.

Tax records show that the lot currently belongs to Rubin Property LLC, which did not return our calls for comment.

ABC 6 also reached out to Martino’s family. A granddaughter of his called it “classic Poppy.”