Rockland Public Library

Tuesday, April 10 at 6:00 to 8:00 PM

On a daily basis we read in the news about the worsening drug addiction problem in America and in mid-coast Maine, in which thousands of people are affected locally, including almost 10% of its babies and a large number of high schoolers.  Over the past two years, as a sign on the worsening problems, the overdose death rate in Maine increased by another 50% to 418 in 2017.  These numbers are very disturbing and many local residents feel we need to do more about it.

While many excellent leaders represent our communities in Knox County, there has been little coordinated action taken in our county to address these problems. In Knox County the majority of addiction practices operate in isolation from each other, an example of many levels “silos” in our community.  There have been no efforts to create large-scale collaborations between many types of organizations to improve treatment for most in need. Additionally, no large-scale initiatives have been created to find alternatives to incarceration, breaking the cycle of addiction or to address the many devastating consequences of drug addiction.  In Knox County, it seems there has been little effective response to our local issues, in due lack of coordinated planning and action.

Fortunately, Knox County doesn’t have to look far to see an example it can adopt.  Neighboring Lincoln County implemented a “Recovery Collaborative” on July 15, 2016 including the county sheriff’s department, all local police departments and the two major healthcare organizations providing services in the county. This collaborative included the Addiction Resource Center (ARC), a program of Midcoast Hospital that treats 800 people annually for drug addiction. ARC works closely with the local emergency department to start drug treatment on a same day basis and has made the news in regard to efforts to work with law enforcement to get people into treatment instead of jail.  

The Lincoln County Recovery Collaborative (LCRC) has also partnered with local individuals, including clinical professionals, local clergy and community civic organizations and people personally impacted by addiction. Lincoln County also developed an “Angel” volunteer program coordinated by ARC to assist local law enforcement agencies help individuals seeking help for their addiction.

Just as in Lincoln County, it will be necessary for local Knox County citizens and organizations to take the lead if progress is to be made.  It is time for organizations and individuals to avoid working together but to come together to map out a plan to address this crisis successfully.  With strong leadership, Knox County can replicate what Lincoln County has done.

The Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition (MCRC) is hosting a presentation by representatives of the LCRC at the Rockland Public Library on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 6 PM to hear how they became organized, what they have accomplished and what lessons they have learned so far. Through their example, LCRC would like to help our community become better organized and to begin to better address the many unmet needs caused by drug addiction in our community.  This event is not sponsored by The Rockland Public Library and the Library is in no way affiliated with, nor liable for, the content or organization of this event.  

All organizations and individuals in our community are invited to join in this discussion.  For more information please contact info@midcoastrecovery.org or by calling 701-1182.