ROCKLAND — A 30-minute version of the inspiring documentary Hopeful: The Story of MaineWorks, will be presented Monday, April 29, at 3 p.m., at the Strand Theatre. The screening will be followed by a discussion and a Narcan training session. This “Second Chance Month” event is presented in partnership by MaineWorks, Maine Recovery Fund, Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships, Coastal Recovery Community Center, Options Save Lives, Pen Bay Medical Center, and the Strand Theatre.

Admission is free.

“Join us for an uplifting afternoon as we celebrate the resilience and determination of individuals seeking a second chance in the workforce,” said the Strand, in the theatre’s news release of the event.

Attendees will learn about the powerful journey of Margo Walsh and MaineWorks, and discover how they provide support, hope, and a pathway to redemption for those rebuilding their lives after incarceration or in recovery.

Margo Walsh established MaineWorks in 2010 to create economic viability for people in recovery from Substance Use Disorder or reentry from jail or prison, and for new Americans. MaineWorks provides individuals with a supportive environment to reintegrate into society and contribute positively to the workforce. MaineWorks and United Recovery Fund have supported 1000+ people. By creating a supportive environment for individuals in reentry or recovery, they strive to reduce stigma, enhance workforce diversity, and contribute to the overall well-being of our community.

Second Chance Month, observed in the United States during April since 2017, is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, and unlock second-chance opportunities for people who have completed their sentences to become contributing citizens.

Duration of this event is 1 hour.

More information is available on the Strand’s website at RocklandStrand.com. The Strand Theatre is located at 345 Main Street, Rockland.

For Pen Bay Medical Center’s Retail Pharmacy and Community Health departments, this is an opportunity to educate students and the public on the importance of the life-saving medication naloxone (Narcan). The work is part of the hospital’s ongoing investment in the health and well-being of the community.

“I’m very proud of our teams and the work they’ve done to inform our communities about these important issues,” said Denise Needham, PharmD, president of Pen Bay and Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, in a PBMC news release. “The information shared at these events reflects our long-term commitment to the health of everyone in our communities.”

According to the Maine Drug Data Hub, there were 607 confirmed and suspected overdose fatalities in the state in 2023, down from 723 in 2022. Nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent data (CDC), there were 105,303 overdose deaths between October 2022 and October 2023.

The state of Maine also reported 2,042 “community reversals with naloxone,” when the medication was used by the public to counter the effects of drugs like heroin and prescription narcotics during an overdose. 

“These trainings have allowed us to distribute 407 doses of naloxone for free to adults in the community to help combat the opioid crisis, in addition to providing the medication for free at the hospital’s Retail Pharmacy,” said Chandler Blodgett, PharmD, ambulatory care services manager at Pen Bay, who also presents at the trainings. “The trainings alone won’t solve this issue, but with education we can help reduce the stigma of fear and judgement around the use of naloxone, teach how to use it and discuss the available community recovery resources.” 

The trainings were introduced in the fall of 2019 by Kendra Emery, DO, who until recently led the local response to the opioid crisis, and Pen Bay Emergency Department Physician Bruce Lowry, MD.

In 2020, the trainings went virtual due to the pandemic and then regained their in-person component in early 2023. Dr. Emery stepped away last year when she began her current role as chief medical officer of the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization.

Since then, 15 events have taken place at middle and high schools, businesses and community events in Knox and Waldo counties.

“This been an overwhelmingly positive experience and we’ve received a tremendous amount of gratitude from the community,” Blodgett said.

For more information, contact Community Health at 301-3950. 

Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.