Sen. Haskell: Bills to support treatment key to solving drug crisis

AUGUSTA — Sen. Anne Haskell of Portland, the leading Senate Democrat on the Health and Human Services Committee, released the following statement regarding public hearings on LDs 1473 and 1496:

“Both of these proposals build on the success of proven, effective programs to combat substance use disorders,” said Sen. Haskell. “We’ve said all along that our fight against drugs would require an ‘all of the above’ approach, and these bills absolutely need to be part of the equation going forward.”

The first bill — LD 1473 “Resolve, To Increase Access to Opiate Addiction Treatment in Maine” — would reinstate the 2010 cut in the reimbursement rate paid to methadone treatment providers from $60 to $80 per week. Increasing reimbursements to providers would allow for more treatment of Mainers seeking recovery from opiate addiction. The counselor to patient ratio had been decreased to 1 to 150 and this would allow the ratio to return to a more effective rate of 1 to 50. The bill was sponsored by Sen. David Woodsome, R-North Waterboro.

The second bill —  LD 1496 “An Act to Support Maine People in Recovery” — would establish three peer support recovery centers in underserved parts of rural Maine. These centers provide a broad array of support services that have been very effective in our more urban areas in moving people into housing and back to work. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Joyce Maker, R-Calais.

“The deadly drug crisis plaguing our state doesn’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican,” said Sen. Haskell. “So we need to take good ideas wherever they come from. These two proposals will help Mainers get better, and I’m happy to support them.”

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