Lincoln County law enforcement and health practitioners to combat drug addiction

Posted: July 13, 2016 | Senator Johnson

DAMARISCOTTA — Local law enforcement and health officials will formally launch a first-of-its-kind regional drug addiction recovery effort at a signing ceremony scheduled for noon Friday, July 15, at the Skidompha Library in Damariscotta.

The event is the culmination of months of discussion, preparation and hard by several police departments, the Sheriff’s Office, and three different medical organizations. After hearing from constituents, Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, brought together the stakeholders to come up with a plan for Lincoln County to address the drug crisis.

“After learning of the success of programs like Operation HOPE in Scarborough, I wanted to get people together to figure out a way that Lincoln County could take a leading role in fighting the drug crisis in our own backyard,” Sen. Johnson said. “But I also know we couldn’t just copy a model that worked in one large town or city. Our region is rural. Our small towns needed to come together to make this work.”

Lincoln County’s recovery collaborative will focus not only on connecting local residents suffering from substance use disorder with treatment, but on providing that treatment locally.

“This year, countless law enforcement officials told lawmakers that the drug crisis will require more than just arrests and jail sentences. They said it will take proven, evidenced-based treatment and prevention efforts,” Sen. Johnson said. “The problem we face is large, and none of us can solve it alone. But Lincoln County is showing that we can all play a part in solving the drug crisis if we come together and get creative.”

WHAT:  Lincoln County Regional Collaborative signing ceremony

WHEN:  Friday, July 15, 2016 at 12 p.m.

WHERE: Skidompha Library, 184 Main Street, Damariscotta

WHO:            

  • Chris Johnson, D-Somerville
  • Sheriff Todd B. Brackett, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
  • Chief Robert Hasch, Boothbay Harbor Police Dept.
  • Chief Ronald S. Young, Damariscotta Police Dept.
  • Chief William Labombarde, Waldoboro Police Dept.
  • Chief Jeffrey E. Lange, Wiscasset Police Dept.
  • Lois Skillings, President and CEO of Mid Coast–Parkview Health
  • Eric Haram, Executive Director, Mid Coast Hospital’s Addiction Resource Center
  • Cindy Wade, Executive VP & Chief Operations Officer, LincolnHealth

 

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