South Street in Ellsworth is a quiet side street along the Union River, where my seasonal restaurant is located. A few weeks ago I witnessed officers from the Ellsworth Police Department, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine State Police and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency make a drug bust in the parking lot next to my business in broad daylight. I am thankful to the law enforcement officers who were able to take these illegal drugs and the individuals allegedly trafficking drugs off the streets.
While we may not always be aware of it, this is a battle that is being fought daily in communities across Maine. This eye-opening incident reminded me how widespread the opioid epidemic is in Maine and that we need a community response to fight the trafficking of drugs in addition to the work being done by legislators and law enforcement.
In Augusta, we have been working to address Maine’s drug crisis, and that was a focus of the 127th Legislature. Many of my colleagues in the House and the Senate submitted legislation intended to tackle Maine’s drug crisis through enforcement, prevention, treatment and recovery. I am pleased that many of these efforts became law, and they are now being implemented.
But it is important to also focus our efforts locally to help our friends and neighbors and the communities hit hardest by this epidemic. Some law enforcement agencies across the state are taking a local initiative to offer assistance to Maine residents who are struggling with drug addiction. Earlier this month, I had the honor of helping the Ellsworth Police Department launch Project HOPE in an effort to help members of our community.
Project HOPE allows people with drug addictions who are seeking treatment to voluntarily turn in their drugs and drug paraphernalia without fear of arrest. Once they have undergone screening, they are assessed for eligibility for drug treatment programs in the area. In addition to the voluntary drug turn-ins, Project HOPE includes law enforcement training on addiction-related issues and public outreach to allow community members to assist those seeking treatment for addiction.
As a local business owner and concerned citizen, I jumped at the opportunity to work alongside local business leaders, Healthy Acadia and local law enforcement to fight this issue at home. Chief Harold Bickmore of the Ellsworth Police Department has watched this drug crisis unfold, affecting individuals in the community and destroying families and businesses. He saw the work that was being done in the town of Scarborough through its Operation HOPE, a similar initiative modeled after the “Angel program” in Gloucester, Massachusetts. In just its first year, Operation HOPE has helped more than 200 people seek treatment for drug addiction.
I believe Bickmore’s initiative to address this issue and offer help from within the community will reduce drug-related crimes and fatalities and reinforce a recovery initiative for those struggling with addiction. Since being introduced to Project HOPE a few weeks ago, it already has attracted many community members who are willing to volunteer as “Angels” and provide support and comfort to program participants. On the program’s first day, a 20-year-old woman came in for help. This woman had been using drugs since she was 13 years old, but Project HOPE provided her with the help she needs to get onto the path to recovery.
Project HOPE provides an answer to the question, “What can we do to help?” Businesses can get involved by holding a fundraiser or donating funds or supplies. Residents can get trained to become Angels. Parents, teachers and students can learn to spot the signs that someone is struggling with substance abuse. Healthy Acadia has been leading the way with public outreach and education, and it is now partnering with local law enforcement and service providers.
Through these avenues, we can provide the help that is needed to address substance abuse and the offer the treatment that will save lives.
Sen. Brian Langley is a Republican from Ellsworth who has represented District 7 since 2010. He is the chair of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.