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Join ANA-Maine on January 17th at the Maine State House in Augusta

Posted 4 months ago by Michelle Schweitzer

The American Nurses Association of Maine (ANA-ME) supports LD 1975, An Act to Implement a Statewide Public Health Response to Substance Use and Amend the Laws Governing Scheduled Drugs, sponsored by Representative Lydia Crafts. This is a bipartisan bill with support from Senators Hickman (D), Bailey (D), and Brenner (D), House Minority Leader Rep. Faulkingham (R), and Representatives Boyer (R), Lanigan (R), Milliken (D), Perry (D), and Sheehan (D).

 Please join us on Wednesday, January 17th, at 10 am in the Health and Human Services Committee at the Maine State House in Augusta for the public hearing.

 

Your story matters.

Your experience is valued.

Your voice will save lives.

 

What would this bill do?

  • LD 1975 aims to institute a comprehensive statewide public health response to substance use. This bill would:
    • Establish a dedicated fund, collaborating with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Recovery Council, to distribute grants and funding to agencies, organizations, and service providers. This funding enhances access to substance use disorder treatment and related services, including mental health care, peer support, and harm reduction.
    • Facilitate the establishment of receiving centers in every county across the state. These centers would conduct health needs assessments, offer screenings for substance use disorder treatment, provide essential support for basic needs, and act as a vital link to treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services.
    • Remove penalties for possessing small amounts of scheduled drugs for personal use. This measure is aimed at fostering a health-oriented response to drug use, while maintaining legal consequences for activities such as sharing, manufacturing, selling, and trafficking, in line with current legal frameworks.

 

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