Opiates in Central Maine: Not just a National Crisis

Drug overdoses rose 40 percent last year, costing the lives of 378 Mainers.

by Eric W. Austin

With words like ‘epidemic,’ ‘crisis,’ and ‘national emergency,’ the opioid problem has been in the news a lot lately. But how is this important issue impacting our local communities here in Central Maine?

That’s the question I set out to answer.

I started by contacting an old friend of mine. Jared Mills was a year ahead of me at Winslow High School, graduating in 1992. Now he serves as the Deputy Chief of Police for Augusta. He told me something I’d hear a lot in the succeeding weeks: The opioid issue really is a problem. It is a crisis, and we need to do something about it now.

“There have been eight pharmacy robberies in the last few years – just here in Augusta,” Deputy Chief Mills told me back in October. “We’ve solved them all, and they were committed by people looking for opiates.”

The message was: opiate withdrawal motivated the crimes. These weren’t hardened criminals so much as desperate people fighting an addiction that had become too much for them.

Something else became clear as I spoke to people involved in this effort: attitudes in law enforcement toward drug offenders are changing.

Detective Sergeant Tracey Frost, one of the Oakland police officers the town of China has hired part-time, put it most succinctly: “We can’t arrest our way out of this,” he told me. Frost has deep roots in the community, coaching at Messalonskee High and serving as the school’s Resource Officer.

We were eating lunch at the China Dine-ah. The enticing smell of burgers and bacon contrasted sharply with the somber topic we were discussing. “We have arrested our way out of certain social situations,” Frost explained. “Everyone knows you can’t drink and drive now. Everybody. We’ve made great strides in different areas like drunk driving and domestic abuse.”

However, according to Frost, the current opioid crisis is not an issue that can be solved that way. Still, Frost is hopeful. “Fortunately,” he continued, “we have police leadership in Maine who are smart, well-educated, and willing to say we’ve got to break the trend here, and start reaching out and helping people – as opposed to just throwing the cuffs on them and taking them down to jail.”

Arrest and incarceration is expensive, with costs that are significantly higher than comparable treatment programs. And it’s not effective, since addicts released from incarceration head right back to their addiction of choice, only to be arrested and incarcerated once again. Law enforcement is trying to break this cycle.

On the treatment side, medical professionals are dealing with a similar issue. Dr. Robert Croswell, Medical Director for MaineGeneral’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in Waterville, and a sitting member on the hospital’s Opiate Steering Committee, met with me to discuss the matter. In his mind, one of the obstacles to providing people with appropriate treatment is the criminal classification of opiates.

“In opiate addiction treatment,” he tells me, “there are pill counts and pee tests. If someone is caught with cannabinoids in their system, they can be kicked out of treatment. It turns the doctor into a law enforcement official. This is detrimental to patients who need help, and discourages doctors from participating in treatment programs. Compare this to alcohol addiction where the emphasis is on treatment, rather than the policing of an illegal substance.”

Dr. Croswell advocates treating opiates like alcohol: controlled and regulated, but not illegal. It’s still a controversial opinion, but one that’s gaining traction among those trying to deal with this issue. In 2015, the police department in Gloucester, Massachusetts, started a program that aims to treat addicts as patients rather than criminals. It has seen great success, and there is talk of bringing the concept here as well.

In Maine, deaths caused by drug overdoses shot up 40 percent last year, with a record 378 Mainers succumbing to addiction. That number is likely to go up when official numbers are released for 2017. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50.

From my conversations with those on the frontlines, it’s clear we’re dealing with a complex problem that isn’t going away anytime soon. The solutions we need require not just a change in policy, but a shift in attitude as well. Fortunately, those involved have studied the mistakes of the past and are aware that a different approach is necessary.

In the months ahead, I’ll be delving deeper into the treatment side of things, and talking with some of those directly affected. I’ll also be speaking with more of our local law enforcement here in Central Maine, to find out what they’re doing to combat this alarming trend.

There’s still a long way to go in dealing with this issue. The fight is far from over, but thankfully, those involved are not hiding their heads in the sand.

UPDATE: The numbers for 2017 have been released, and there were 418 overdose deaths last year, a 27 percent increase over 2016.

Eric Austin is a writer and technical consultant living in China, Maine. If you or someone you know has been affected by opiate addiction and you would like to share your story, please contact him at ericwaustin@gmail.com. All correspondence is strictly confidential.

Colby College students perform at ‘Jazz at Lincoln Center’

Student musicians and actors from Colby College, in Waterville, performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 6 as part of the college’s New York campaign launch celebration.

Kaylee Pomelow, of Canaan, was part of a group that performed selections from Lost With You for alumni and friends of the college at the event.

Emily Goulette, of Oakland, was part of a group that performed selections from Lost With You for alumni and friends of the college at the event.

Empire State Building in “Colby blue”

Lost With You is a musical written and produced by students that was workshopped with Broadway professionals last January at New York’s Ripley-Grier Studios.

The student performance was part of a larger New York event that included a lighting of the Empire State Building in “Colby Blue” and an appearance at the Nasdaq Stock Market by Colby’s President David A. Greene.

Dubbed “Dare Northward” to reflect the bold and unprecedented nature of the initiatives and priorities it will support, the $750-million campaign will make it possible for Colby to introduce transformational programs, build on already strong academic programs, improve access to a Colby education for deserving students from around the globe, and provide outstanding new facilities that support a multidisciplinary approach to learning and connect the college to the community beyond its campus.

Erskine Academy’s Winter Concert scheduled for December 20, 2017

Erskine Academy’s annual Winter Concert will be Wednesday, December 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the James V. Nelson Gymnasium. The concert is free; however, donations are gladly accepted. Ensembles will be performing traditional holiday music such as Sleigh Ride, Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, and Silver Bells, as well as other selections that bring communities together and celebrate health and happiness. Snow date Thursday, December 21.

Clinton elementary students hold drive for homeless shelter

Front row, from left to right, Kaylie Smith, Kylie Delile, Natily Reid, Kaulen Liberty and Jenna Furchak. Back, Layla Gagnon, Alyssa Carter, Colton Carter, Candace Day, Tanya of the Mid-Maine Homeless shelter and Oliver Lang. Contributed photo

The Clinton Elementary School Student Council recently led a school-wide drive for warm winter hats, scarves and mittens and/or money for the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter. Their “Hats for the Homeless” drive netted $181 and approximately 150 warm winter items.

Whitefield Lions host Christmas for Kids

From left to right, Carolyn Greenwood, Caitlin Labbe, Dagan Savage, Lydia Gilman, Santa, Courtney Paine, Alana York, Olivia Kunesh, Alex Mahon, Harrison Mosher, Brenda Bonsant and Noah Bonsant.

Whitefield Lions club hosted their annual Christmas for Kids party Sunday, December 10.

A lunch of hot dogs, chips, and punch was served, followed by cookies and ice cream.

Santa stopped by for a visit and kids clamored to tell him what they want for Christmas.

Requests ranged from Lego sets to a puppy.

Erskine Academy’s Leos Caitlin Labbe, left, and Alana York. Contributed photos

Each child was given a big bag of wrapped presents to take home and put under the tree, to be opened Christmas morning

Games were played and songs were sung and children were awarded raffle prizes, including cans of popcorn, stuffed beanie babies, candy, porcelain dolls, a scooter and a bicycle.

Eight members of the Erskine Academy Leo club were on hand to help the Lions greet guests, serve food, and hand out gifts.

Twenty-five local children and their families attended the event.

Jefferson Food Pantry gives thanks

It was a dark and stormy night, cold and rainy. On November 22, the Jefferson Area Community Food Pantry passed out turkeys, hams, assorted other meats, fresh and canned veggies and fruit to feed over 100 of our friends and neighbors.

Good Shepherd Food Bank and the DRA farm provided dry and canned goods and fresh produce. Lots of folks donated boxes of thanksgiving fixings, turkeys and money for the pantry to purchase more turkeys. One special giver donated 35 pies to insure that every family had a yummy desert.

Many new and dedicated volunteers came for set up and distribution. Thank you. Spirits were high in spite of the weather and they were all thankful for the generosity of the community. It was a great night. Happy Holidays

The Jefferson Food Pantry would not be possible without cash donations that we use to purchase food from the Good Shepherd Food Bank. If you would like to participate to help those in need with a monetary gift, please send donations to St. Giles Church, PO Box 34, Jefferson, ME 04348, with JACFB written in the memo area of your check.

They distribute food on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at St. Giles Church, 72 Gardiner Rd. ( Rt 126), from 4 -5:30 p.m. For more information, please call 315-1134.

Anne Guadalupi one of 60 students inducted into Assumption College honors program

The Assumption College Honors Program, in Worcester, Massachusetts, inducted 60 new members from the class of 2021 to its honors program, including Anne Guadalupi, of Augusta, on October 29, before an audience of administrators, faculty, and families.

Mount Merici Academy first trimester high honors

Mount Merici Academy announces their students in sixth – eighth grade who have earned high honors for the first trimester of the 2017/2018 school year. They are:

Samantha Bissell, Amelia Charland, Caden Cote, Nina Dabas, Hazel Dow, Sarah Hellen, Carolyn Kinney, Naomi McGadney, Isabella Morrill, Luke Parks and Skylah Talon.

Central Maine Squares to hold Toyland Dance

Central Maine Square Dance Club of Waterville

The new officers of the Central Maine Square Dance Club are, from left to right, Claude Francke, Al Mather, Jeff Howes, Karen Cunningham, and Becky Potter. Contributed photo

The Central Maine Square Dance club of Waterville is having their monthly square dance on Sunday, December 10, from 2 – 5 p.m., at the Waterville Jr. High School, on Rte. 104 (West River Road). Again this year this dance is being promoted as our “Toyland Dance.” Each year the club encourages its members and guests to bring an unwrapped toy or article of clothing to be donated to the Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers, in Waterville.

Items needed by the home are, toys for boys and girls ages 3-12, complete outfits size 0-16 for boys and girls, infant and toddler VTech and Fisher Price Developmental, 500 piece Lego sets for bots and girls, ages 8-12, warm pajamas, sizes 0-16, reading books for all levels up to age 12. Snow pants, jackets, boots, mittens and gloves.

They are asking the general public if they would like to get involved with this endeavor, they could drop a gift off at the dance on Sunday, December 10, from 2 to 5 p.m., or call 447-0094 or 631-8816 to make arrangements for pick up.

Winslow’s Wildes wins multiple awards

Michael Wildes, of Winslow High School, received several Division II Northern Maine Class B awards at the 44th annual Maine Coaches All-Star Banquet. Wildes accepted the Northern and Southern Maine Regional All-Stars and the soccer ball for All New England awards. Photo by Dan Cassidy

Accepts northern and southern Maine regional and New England soccer accolades

Dan Cassidyby Dan Cassidy

The 44th Annual Maine Soccer Coaches All-Star Banquet was held at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor, Sunday, December 3.

Awards were presented by coaches of Northern Maine Class A, B and C, and Southern Maine Class A, B and C. The Presentation of awards included the 23rd Mane Soccer Coaches Senior Bowl MVPs, Northern and Southern Maine Regional All-Stars, Northern and Southern Maine state teams. Maine Soccer “Coach of the Year” Awards, NSCAA Region One Coach of the Year, Class “Players of the Year” Awards, All New England Awards, and All America Award presented to both boys and girls All-Star teams.

Michael Wildes, a senior at Winslow High School and a Class B Northern back soccer player earned multiple awards in the Northern and Southern Maine Regional All-Stars and All New England Awards. Jake Lapierre, a Winslow High School student was also awarded recognition. He was not present to accept the awards.

Wildes played four years of soccer. “I am really proud of my coaches and players at Winslow High,” he said. He is looking at attending one of several colleges: Babson, Assumption, or Saint Joseph’s College.

The event honored over 150 players and coaches at the All-Star Banquet.