Maine opioid task force unveils report
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine's task force studying the opioid crisis wants the state to immediately increase access to substance abuse treatment and focus on children, the uninsured and incarcerated people.
The task force, in its report released Tuesday, said lawmakers have made progress on one aspect of the opioid crisis in particular: the over-prescribing of prescription opioids. The report's 20 recommendations include connecting uninsured people with treatment, developing mental health and substance use disorder treatment options in jails and supporting the development of recovery housing.
Law enforcement officials say 185 Mainers died of a drug overdose in the first six months of this year. Last year, the total number of deaths was 376.
"I'm determined this report won't sit on a shelf and collect dust," said Democratic Rep. Joyce McCreight, co-chair of the task force. She said she will seek support from colleagues on directing more money for treatment, prevention and court programs.
The task force included mental health and addiction professionals and representatives from law enforcement and the judiciary. Task force members said lawmakers returning to Augusta in January will have an opportunity to act on legislation addressing the crisis, including a bill that would provide new comprehensive treatment systems for patients receiving medication for opioid dependence.
Several task force members said they're worried that the report lacks teeth, but hope lawmakers will act swiftly at a time when some Maine treatment facilities have shut down.
"People in immediate need won't see the benefits of the task force in the time frame that they need it," said Vernon Gardner, a Hampden physician specializing in addiction treatment.
Some efforts by state and federal lawmakers to combat the opioid crisis have proved slow or inefficient, said Malory Shaughnessy, executive director of Maine's Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services. Shaughnessy, also a task force member, wants more funding for existing treatment programs and the uninsured.
Republican Sen. Andre Cushing, a task force co-chair, acknowledged the frustration, adding that lawmakers face budgetary constraints in addressing the epidemic.
Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills, who is running for governor in 2018, urged communities to find solutions that don't rely on state government.
The task force represents one of the state's latest efforts to address the issues arising from opioid use — from drug overdose deaths to pregnant women with substance abuse disorders.
In 2016, the Maine Opiate Collaborative issued nearly 40 recommendations, including expanding drug treatment courts, allowing prescriptions of a generic medication to treat opioid dependency under MaineCare, and enhancing drug prevention programs.
A 2015 report found about one in four primary treatment admissions were related to heroin in 2014, up from 7 percent in 2010.
The latest report recommends an evaluation of drug prevention programs targeting school-age children. The task force stopped short of expressing support for needle exchange programs.