AUGUSTA, Maine — Citing an “alarming” rate of prescription drug abuse in the state, Gov. Paul LePage has created a task force to fight the problem.
The Republican signed an executive order Wednesday creating the 17-member task force, which will include medical and law enforcement representatives.
The order says nearly 1,400 residents of Maine have died from pharmaceutical drug overdoses in the last decade and drug-related deaths now exceed traffic fatalities in the state. In addition, more than 500 babies born in Maine in 2010 faced opiate withdrawal and other effects from their mothers’ prescription drug abuse.
MaineMedia Today reports the task force’s job includes the development of a prescription drug disposal program; starting a program to notify prescribers when a patient is arrested for diverting drugs; and developing a public education campaign to reduce abuse.
No money to pay bills so lets start another task force cut more taxes and close schools DHHS etc to pay for them.. Not that it isn’t needed though..
I would think that this may help our DHHS budget in the long run if we keep people from MaineCare from overdosing and the big costs associated with the drug abuse! Plus no sense to jump to conclusions on out of pocket expenses until we know if it will need to be funded maybe these people will be volunteers.
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Oh good just want we need is another task force. Who are these 17 members friends of LePage and who is paying for this? Thought the state was broke? I’m sure you have enough people in Augusta who can do this job, if not time for you and your buddies to leave town.
“Oh good just want we need is another task force.”
It is to his ” less big government” promises like “quality” is to Mardens.
Here’s how this CAN work with those that abuse MaineCare : you go to the emergency room for your “sore” knee. You get all the tests for free, and then receive some sort of painkiller that is also free except for the tiny co-pay than you can also not pay. Then you sell it or abuse it yourself .The folks abusing drugs are not having a hard time finding ways to dispose of the left overs. That’s about it. Any task force will figure this out after a while.
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That’s certainly part of the problem, that’s why people who could see a primary care provider go to the Emergency Room. Their total history is less likely to be known in that busy atmosphere. The only poeple that afford the ER are those on government programs, everyone else gets a bill that would choke a horse.
Aren’t there any laws against that ?
So who are you saying is too weak on crime ?
No, and that’s one of the reasons the state is broke. It’s just way too easy to work the Maine Care system.
I doubt cutting taxes and balancing the budget will work, or fix anything.
With or without tax cuts and budget balancing Maine is a state that has a way higher number of citizens abusing prescription drugs than most other states. That’s not good for anybody is it? If some of these people can’t get these drugs for FREE they probably won’t sell them or over use them will they?
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So shouldn’t they all have start getting them on the street then be arrested and thrown in jail ?
That is the conservative solution, right ?
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Another “executive order?” Task Force? Another witch hunt?
The State Police Crime Unit could do the job.
Any retail Pharmacist can tell you the whole story in 5 minutes.
why doesnt it include an addict ?
Alarming??? Can something still be alarming if it was alarming back in 1996???
another task force the ones we have can not do anything they are supposed to accept take there cut in cash… make a task force to lower fuel prices Lepage is as good as obama at wasting our money
We are just now realizing and reacting to a problem?
Set up methadone,subox,and all that crap on every corner,and give them assistance for a disability, and not know ou have a MAJOR problem?
Can you say WTF??
Please end the war on drugs, it is insane! Childern are indoctrinated with drugs from their doctors, their parents, the television, their friends, the list is endless. We are a society awash in drugs. This madness must end.