Category Archives: recovery

Marijuana would worsen, not improve, the opiate crisis

Back in October 2015, U.S Attorney Thomas Delahanty recruited around 3 dozen professionals from around Maine to sit on the three task forces making up the Maine Opiate Collaborative.  The law enforcement, treatment, and prevention task forces were to charged with developing comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to address the worsening heroin crisis.  Along with my fellow […]

On being a recovery ally

Once again I turn over Smart Approaches to my friend and colleague Alison Jones Webb. This week she has a great piece on what it means to be a recovery ally. This has been one of the more rewarding aspects of my work as a prevention specialist and in my role as Director at AdCare […]

Maine medical marijuana industry seeking to cash in on the heroin epidemic

BDN File

It has been heartening to see all of the efforts and initiatives start up across Maine to address the heroin crisis.  Police departments and sheriff’s departments are looking to start up referral and diversion programs to get people suffering into treatment.  Public health coalitions are setting up forums to put together plans to implement in […]

Maine passes addiction bill; what it means and what it doesn’t mean

In an inspiring display of unity, the Maine House and Senate both unanimously passed the $3.7 million addiction bill which was then quickly signed by Governor Paul Lepage. Within a couple of short hours, Maine had adopted a comprehensive, bi-partisan bill to address the increasingly dire addiction epidemic in Maine. One of the questions that remained […]

Social stigma and substance use: Why language matters

Today I am once again turning over Smart Approaches to guest columnist Alison Jones Webb who has a great article on social stigma and substance use. Research shows that one reason people with addiction don’t seek treatment is the shame they feel about their condition. The shame springs, in part, from the social disgrace associated with […]

The case for universal prevention as a solution to the heroin crisis

This article was inspired, in part, by a recent presentation by the great Dr. Dennis Embry at the recent 2015 National Prevention Network Conference. As you might imagine, working in the field of substance abuse, I have been a part of a few discussions with colleagues about this heroin/opiate crisis our state faces.  In a […]

Behavioral health career fair has special focus on recruiting persons in recovery

Last month I published an article talking about how moving to a recovery-oriented approach to substance abuse can also be a form of economic development.  In particular, I posited that employers implementing hiring programs for people in recovery would be one such strategy.  A growing field that could greatly benefit from recruiting new, young energy […]

Gov. Christie has the right equation to address addiction crisis

By now, you probably have seen the now viral video of New Jersey Governor and GOP Presidential candidate Chris Christie talking about the drug abuse crisis.  If you haven’t watched it yet, I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it now before reading the rest of this article: For me, what is […]

Advances in Overdose Prevention in Maine

Today I am turning over Smart Approaches to guest columnist (and friend and colleague) Alison Jones Webb who has a great article on Maine’s new overdose prevention law that goes into effect October 15th.   If you live in Maine and you think that you are at risk for opioid overdose or if you know […]

How a recovery-oriented approach to substance abuse means economic development for Maine

Last week I posted this article talking about how moving to a recovery-oriented approach to substance abuse can also be a form of economic development.  In particular, I posit that employers implementing hiring programs for people in recovery would be one such strategy.  Lo and behold, there are indeed companies out there starting to do […]