PARIS, Maine — Oxford County officials hosted a community forum Thursday night to spread awareness of the growing problem of heroin abuse.
Dozens of law enforcement, local leaders and community members filled the American Legion with one goal: to save lives. Paris police organized Thursday night’s forum because they say heroin abuse in the region is at an all-time high, leading to an increase in fatalities and crime.
Police say needles, spoons, and suboxone wrappers are found daily littered on the streets.
The only way to break the cycle, according to police in western Maine, is for everyone to work together. The purpose of Thursday’s forum was a way to open up the doors of communication.
“I believe it is an epidemic and that heroin is a disease,” said Paris interim Police Chief Jeffrey Lange. “So we want to look at it as a holistic approach, and it’s not just law enforcements problem. It should be a community effort to approach this problem”.
“I think the place to interdict serious narcotics is where they’re coming into the state and they’re being brought up from further south by people who see this as a ready market,” said resident Murad Sayen. “And obviously, the DEA and the state drug enforcement officers are going after dealers but apparently losing battle at this point.”
Police say heroin use is the No. 1 priority in the area right now, and they’re working to help addicts get help, not incarcerate them.