Alfond: LePage takes one step forward, two steps back on drug crisis
‘With states coming together to fight addiction, why is Maine going it alone?’
AUGUSTA — By obstructing efforts for effective treatment and prevention and rejecting efforts to work together, Gov. Paul LePage continues to hamper Maine’s efforts to fight the devastating and deadly drug crisis.
“Law enforcement officials, medical experts and addiction treatment specialists have been loud and unanimous in calling for a comprehensive approach to address the drug crisis,” said Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond of Portland. “Unfortunately, Gov. LePage continues to ignore opportunities to tackle this problem and to thwart our collective efforts to save lives.”
On Thursday, Gov. LePage’s administration finally issued a request for proposals to operate a 10-bed detox facility in underserved northern or eastern Maine. Detox centers such as these provide a crucial first step to people suffering from addiction by providing them a safe place to transition off drugs and into recovery.
Unfortunately, the RFP comes six months after the Legislature unanimously enacted a law to create the facility and two weeks after the law required the Department of Health and Human Services to begin issuing payments.
Because of the urgency in fighting the drug crisis, the law required the department to begin funding the facility no later than June 30, which would have required the RFP to be issue months ago. Instead, Gov. LePage dragged his feet, refusing to take even the first step until his stall tactics were called out in public.
Also this week, 46 governors banded together to sign the Compact to Fight Opioid Addiction. Gov. LePage refused to join the initiative.
“The scourge of addiction is one of the gravest threats facing our nation,” said Sen. Alfond. “This urgent crisis has united Democrats, Republicans and independents from around the country. Even Congress has come together on this issue. They recognize that we must confront this threat together. I simply cannot understand why Gov. LePage thinks we’re better off alone.”
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