With all the chatter about Obamacare, you may not have heard about health reform’s major implications for those struggling with drug abuse. (Check out our ongoing Affordable Care Act series with the Sun Journal for a primer on the law.) Today, our health system largely segregates treatment of our physical health from care for our mental […]
Archive | Drug Abuse
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Heroin & Opiates: Policing vs. Treatment: The opiate crisis in Maine is at an inflection point. The governor is promising a crackdown on users and traffickers. Yet those who need treatment face reduced medical benefits and tighter controls on opiate therapy drugs to prevent diversion. Both options are needed. Which will have better results for Maine?
Why we shouldn’t be concerned with Maine pharmacists caught abusing drugs
Drug Abuse Maine FocusThis week the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting warns that over the past decade, 13 Maine pharmacists were relicensed/reinstated despite documented histories of substance abuse and theft. These numbers seem disconcerting. They’re not. If we eliminate those convicted of theft without abusing substances, we’re talking about one professional a year. We should be more […]
MaineFocus highlighted as unique effort in ‘solutions journalism’
Domestic and Sexual Violence Drug Abuse Growing Maine's Economy Maine FocusA few week ago, Natalie Feulner, Erin Rhoda and I spoke with Keith Hammonds, chief operating officer of the Solutions Journalism network, about MaineFocus and its mission. SoJo, as it’s known, is a new nonprofit pushing news organizations to introduce “solutions” based reporting, as well as support solutions-based journalism and journalists across the country. Keith’s […]
Sorry, but there’s no quick fix to “the drug problem in Bangor”
Drug Abuse Maine FocusIt’s Sunday morning and I’m at the Bagel Central standing in a long line. The gentleman in front of me is talking politics and he’s looking to involve me in the conversation. I’m doing everything I can to avoid eye contact. He turns to me, makes a bit of small talk, then abruptly asks, “What […]
Drug addicts look like CEOs, soccer moms, and your grandmother
Drug Abuse Maine FocusIn my office hangs an Advertising Council public service ad from the late 60’s/early 70’s entitled “Diagram of a Drug Abuser.” It shows a very sketchy young man with arrows pointing to all the tell tale signs that he’s one of those bad, bad people who do drugs. It was outdated and ridiculous forty years […]
An inspiring day with students at Project AWARE
Drug Abuse Maine FocusI recently spent a day in Biddeford at the Project AWARE summer film institute. Sounds fun, right? It was. But it was also so very inspiring. Project AWARE is one of the MaineFocus partners this year and is working specifically with our Drug Abuse team to plan a film festival. Students around the state are […]
Addiction and recovery for women conference scheduled Sept. 6
Drug Abuse Maine FocusHusson University’s Institute for Continuing Health Education Programming will host University of California, Los Angeles integrated substance abuse program professor, Christine Grella at an addiction and recovery for women conference Sept. 6. Grella will share the results of her latest research about chemical dependence and gender differences in substance abuse trends, according to a news […]
Maine and New England reporting surge in heroin use
Drug Abuse Maine FocusPORTLAND, Maine — The New York Times reported Friday on the rash of heroin use — and overdoses — in Maine and other areas of New England. Health and public safety officials continue to caution that unusually pure or “bad” heroin is making its way through the region, and warn of the dire consequences including […]
Giving Maine babies a chance at a drug-free life
Drug Abuse Maine FocusThe personal and economic costs associated with drug and alcohol abuse are staggering. In 2010, the total estimated cost of substance abuse in Maine — including corrections, law enforcement, long-term health effects and premature death — was more than $1.4 billion, translating to $1,057 for every Maine resident. Maine’s youngest are not spared. The state […]
Drug-affected babies: Unwitting victims of Maine’s opiate problem
Drug Abuse Maine FocusNearly 800 babies born in Maine last year were exposed to drugs in the womb. Take one look at the chart in today’s story and it’s clear the problem has only worsened in recent years, as opiate addiction has ballooned into one of Maine’s top public health threats. Prescription painkillers intended to ease the burden […]