Harm Reduction In the News
Over the last month or so there have been several national news stories about the use of harm reduction methods and their controversial nature. Here are a few of the articles.
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Illegal use of Rx Drugs an 'epidemic'
Bangor Daily News, Mal Leary ~ May 26, 2009
Photo credit (with permission): George Danby, Bangor Daily News
AUGUSTA, Maine - The increasing illegal use of prescription drugs has become a crisis, state law enforcement officials say.
To combat the problem, the officials are stressing that they need every tool, from federal grants to programs for disposal of unneeded prescription drugs.
"That's an epidemic that we are facing right now," said state Attorney General Janet Mills. "It has a serious economic impact on Maine and the state budget because of the use of MaineCare funds for the use of all kinds of prescription drugs that end up in the wrong hands."
Mills said the increase in prescription drug diversion is dramatic, and she is using federal grant money to assign two prosecutors to drug diversion cases. In 1998, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency reported 50 diversion arrests that were 7 percent of all drug arrests that year. In 2008, there were 259 arrests that accounted for 39 percent of all drug arrests."
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Save Lives, Reduce Overdose Deaths
Congress has the chance to save lives by passing overdose prevention legislation. Tell your representative to support the bill. Read more from Bill Piper, Director, Office of National Affairs, DPA
 "Our government is ignoring a crisis for which there are clear solutions. Accidental overdose took more lives last year than firearms, drownings and accidental falls combined. These deaths are needless tragedies, and yet the federal government fails to implement existing, evidence-based strategies to stop them. You have a chance to tell legislators to do something that we know works.
"We worked with Rep. Donna F. Edwards (D - MD) on an overdose prevention bill that was just introduced in Congress, and it's legislation I'm really proud of. It will turn the drug war on its head by focusing federal agencies on reducing drug overdose deaths, providing grants to community groups, and beginning to treat drug use as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue.
"Our legislators know there is a better way to deal with overdose. Now it's up to you and me to make sure they do something about it by co-sponsoring this important legislation. Send a message now."
*Click HERE to order your FREE "Prevent Overdose, Save Lives" STICKER from DPA
*For more information about DPA, visit: Drug Policy Alliance
*Read a related article "No One Deserves to Die by Overdose" HERE
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Next Meeting
Our next Overdose Prevention Project Meeting will be held on July 15, 2009 from
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
at CAP Quality Care
Please RSVP Tracy (207) 756-8021
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SAMHSA: Road to Recovery UPDATE
National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month is coming up! Celebrate and join the voices for recovery this September.
"TOGETHER WE LEARN, TOGETHER WE HEAL"
Visit the National Recovery Month Website HERE and be sure to look for updates from us and our Statewide partners for this year's events!
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Portland's Annual
Recovery & Wellness Resource Fair
Portland's Overdose Prevention Project has tentatively scheduled our annual "Recovery & Wellness Resource Fair" for Wednesday September 22, 2009. We know it's only July but we're so excited to bring our message of recovery to the Portland Community once again!
If you would like more info or are interested in partnering for the Recovery & Wellness Resource Fair to be held at Preble Street Resource Center, please contact Amanda Edgar at (207) 756-8053.
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SAMHSA Release: A Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory
Emerging Issues in the Use of Methadone
"The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) convened a national assessment conference in 2003 to examine factors behind the increase in methadone-related deaths. A reassessment meeting was convened in July 2007. The meeting reports, background papers, and other information are available HERE.
View the 8-page Advisory HERE
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